Student with headphones looking at laptop

5 Self-Care Tips for Remote Learning

How to prioritize yourself while you learn from home.

It’s never been easy to be a student, but there’s a really strong argument to be made that it’s never been more difficult than right now. In addition to everything else that 2020 has thrown at us (which I won’t even begin to list), millions of students across the country have also had to adjust to the challenges of remote or hybrid learning.

Self-care is not only critical for your general well-being, but also for finding success in the (virtual) classroom. The good news is that there are plenty of helpful ways to avoid burning out while you’re hitting the books. Here are 5 ways you can prioritize your mental health while you study.

1) Prioritize time management.

You’ve probably heard this one before, and that’s because developing strong time management skills can be a real gamechanger. It’s also more important than ever if you’re learning from home, where you may be surrounded by more distractions than you normally might in a classroom or library. One easy thing you can do is build out a calendar that includes your classes, study blocks, study breaks, and important due dates.

“My schedule encourages me to do things like eat three nutritious meals, drink water, and do something active like yoga or dog-walking,” says DoSomething member Angelia, 18. “Doing simple things can really work wonders to revitalize you and your brain!” By sticking to a schedule, your body will learn your routine and staying focused will become easier and easier.

Making to-do lists is also a great tactic for tracking your progress -- and let’s be honest, there are few things that feel better than crossing something off of a to-do list. (I always put “Create a to-do list” as my first item so that I can always get that immediate (and totally deserved) sense of accomplishment and momentum.)

2) Check in with yourself.

Tell me if this sounds familiar: you’ve been heads down focused on something for who knows how long, when it suddenly hits you how much time has flown by since you last moved, hydrated, or maybe even looked up from your screen.

Taking regular breaks isn’t just refreshing. According to a 2019 study, breaks can “improve our moods, overall well-being and performance capacity.” Yes, stepping away for a few moments can actually improve your productivity. So next time you go to study, set periodic reminders on your phone to check in with yourself. Use that time to stretch, drink some water, and just generally listen to what your body needs.

One of my favorite hacks is to follow this self-care Twitter bot. When you set up push notifications, it’ll send you an hourly tip reminding you to take a break!

3) Reach out for support.

Just because we need to practice physical distancing, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t lean on others for support. In fact, quite the opposite. Your teachers and professors want you to succeed and will do their best to support you if you need help. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions over Zoom, send them an email, or attend virtual office hours if they have them.

That also means staying in touch with your classmates and friends. Study together over Zoom or FaceTime to help each other through the material. Even a group text can go a long way towards keeping everyone accountable and feeling supported. Listen, “we’re all on this together” is more than just a catchy High School Musical song -- it’s also a way of life.

4) Have a dedicated workspace.

By creating and entering a consistent space for doing school work, you can actually signal to your brain that it’s time to get into focus mode (science, baby!). One major tip here is to choose a space that can be solely dedicated to getting work done if possible. Ideally you should have a desk, a comfortable chair, and some good lighting.

Of course, you’ll also want to remove any potential distractions. This is a key part of training your brain, so try to choose a place where it’s harder for people or technology to distract you. It might feel hard at first, but it will get easier! Plus, it’ll make that post-studying Netflix binge feel that much sweeter.

5) Reflect on your feelings and needs.

Look, these are incredibly stressful times and while remote learning is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed at times. Try to find time to reflect on what you’re feeling and what you need. Creative outlets like journaling, music, and art (among others) can be a great way to process your emotions. Try to separate what is and isn’t in your control.

And just as important is focusing on the positives. Identify moments of gratitude -- whether it’s laughing at a funny joke, doing well on a test, or the fact that there are people making TikToks like this one.