Survival Guide to Spring Semester in Your Childhood Home

AUSLEEN ACOSTA | JAN. 22, 2021

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The way that I’m starting my last semester at SDSU has been far from what I would have ever imagined. I’ve always looked forward to my last semester here at State - meticulously planning every semester of my college career in order to have an easy load during my last semester, living in an apartment filled with my best friends, studying abroad in a faraway country, being newly 21 years old... but here I am, having my “grand finale” in my childhood bedroom.

On behalf of every college student in America, no one was prepared for the mental and emotional toll that COVID-19 gave us. At the peak of the global pandemic, we were expected to pack our things, adjust to online learning, and perform at our highest like nothing ever happened. Though everyone’s “living at home” experience has been different, it always leads back to one question... how do we succeed in college when we are living at home?

TIP #1: KNOW YOUR BOUNDARIES WITH YOUR FAMILY
One major thing that I had to adjust to during quarantine was having a loud house and disruptive family members. It seemed that every time I had class or had an assignment due, all of a sudden, my house turned into a zoo and every family member needed my help! Although it’s hard to speak up against your family, it’s so important to remember that you are an adult that has boundaries and deserves respect. One of the main things that helped me with online school was setting boundaries with my family and having everyone understand my workload. I had my school schedule taped onto my refrigerator and “do not disturb” signs on my door to maintain separation between work life and family life.

TIP #2: GET OUT OF BED
How do we separate work from home when we are working from home? A simple answer but it’s something that none of us want to do; get out of bed! Working from your bed has proven a decrease in sleep quality, work productivity, and energy levels. According to Health Line, “When we use our bed for other activities, like working, reading, watching TV, etc., we create an association with wakefulness. We want the bed to be a cue for sleep, and working in bed weakens this association.” Considering the pandemic, civil unrest, and ongoing chaos, who could blame us for wanting to work from our bed! I am definitely a victim to it, along with the majority of college students, but doing your work on a desk has definitely been a game-changer in staying productive.

TIP #3: GET INVOLVED WITH EXTRACURRICULARS
One reason why I loved SDSU so much was because of the social life and networking opportunities. Although the way we connect with other students has been different during the pandemic, being involved with other students through a computer screen is better than having no interaction at all. Having a community that you are a part of is so important ESPECIALLY when we are dealing with times that are difficult for all college students. When I joined American Marketing Association this past semester, it gave me stability, people that I could talk to, and a distraction from my crazy home life!

TIP #4: BE GRATEFUL
As the world may seem like it is crumbling beneath us, it’s so important to remain grateful for the little things! We are lucky to have a roof over our heads, our health amidst a global pandemic, and people that support us. Living at home could feel like a total disaster at times, but there are so many benefits that come with it! Take advantage of the fact that you’re saving money from rent, that you have time to spend with your family, and going to Zoom University in your pajamas!

Online school and living at home have definitely been a challenge, but finding the little joys in hard situations makes these unprecedented times easier. We wish you the best in surviving the spring semester!

REFERENCES:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323551004578116922977737046

Getting Involved: Zoom University, Zoom Fatigue, and Everything In-between

DEC. 4, 2020 | Doreen Hemmati

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I love getting involved. My freshman year it took little to convince me to go to new club meetings or random events on campus. My sophomore and junior year I was holding up to four leadership positions at a time. You could say I was a little too involved… and a little too burnt out. However, I made amazing memories, met all types of people, and learned a lot. 

When this semester rolled around, I knew I needed to tone it down. But being far away from San Diego, our beautiful campus, and all my peers didn’t sit well with me. COVID-19 and Zoom University present a unique challenge to students of all ages. We are spending more time online than ever, yet feeling more disconnected than ever. We are hungry for community more than ever, yet feeling more unmotivated to reach out than ever. Despite having a part time job and internship on top of school already, I decided to take the leap and join American Marketing Association. 

This was my first time joining a new organization since my freshman year. I was nervous as I smiled with my camera on through the first Zoom meeting of the semester. It wasn’t just a new experience, it was an awkward one. What is the protocol for student run organization Zoom calls? Do I keep my camera off? Do I chat before the meeting starts? So many questions with so many different answers. After one or two more meetings, the feelings of awkwardness and nervousness quickly faded. However, the feeling of Zoom fatigue quickly settled in. 

What is Zoom fatigue? The Psychiatric Times defines Zoom fatigue as “the tiredness, worry, or burnout associated with overusing virtual platforms of communication.” Why does it matter? Zoom fatigue is not just being tired of work or school, it is being tired of using these communication platforms altogether. This might mean skipping out on a happy hour with friends via Zoom/FaceTime or in my case, struggling to find the motivation to attend AMA meetings even though I enjoy them. 

This might not seem like a big deal, but in the age of COVID-19 when connecting with our peers and friends in person has become a rarity, it is so easy to become isolated. It is important to make sure you are doing both the people you care about and yourself a service by scheduling in time for genuine conversation outside of work and school. But it is also important to respect your own boundaries and be aware of your energy levels. Will one more event via Zoom, even if it’s a game night from your favorite organization, send you over the edge? 

Sadly, we don’t have a cure to Zoom fatigue other than increasing in-person interaction and decreasing online interaction which is not necessarily safe yet. But here are some tips to make Zoom University a little less painful:

1 - Set boundaries for school and work 

Don’t let school, work, and life blend all together. Set specific hours for work and specific hours for pleasure. For example, I don’t do anything school or work-related after 8 pm or on Fridays. 

2 - Schedule at least one fun online event a week 

Yes, the overuse of Zoom can be quite annoying. But what’s one more hour on Zoom a week especially if it's fun? Check out new organizations at your school, go to a work happy hour session, or plan an online reunion for an old group of friends! Having something to look forward to each week can alleviate feelings of repetitiveness and hopelessness. 

3 - Be honest with yourself

Living through COVID-19 is a challenge. Maybe you find yourself exhausted even on days where you don’t leave your bed. Get in tune with yourself: Would I feel better if I got some fun and lighthearted online interactions in? Am I feeling lonely? Do I need space away from screens, fresh air, and/or true rest? Depending on your answers, it might be a good idea to force yourself to attend that Zoom event or turn off all your electronics and enjoy real life. 

At the end of the day, we are all struggling to maintain a sense of community through this time. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Be gentle with yourself.