Tufts Blogs

As a computer science major, sometimes part of my learning is pondering technology and our reliance on it. Like an astronomer gazing at the stars to find the meaning of life, I stare at my computer screen to create functionality out of 1s and 0s. And now we have run into a world headfirst that we expected to arise in the next hundred years… the virtual world. Our society is now reliant on technology due to the coronavirus pandemic and a new style of learning and working. 

What were schedules filled with runs to Eaton and Tisch are now rushing to open up our laptops, call-ins, and zoom links. In this new environment, as academics, we must re-learn learning. For me, the process started during the summer internship that I was lucky to have still. The reality was that I now had to be a successful intern and build relationships virtually rather than organically. But that thought process is the problem when trying to make the virtual transition. I was looking at the lack of physical interaction as a hindrance rather than a new way of communicating. 

Some people call this change a new normal. I like to refer to it as a hybrid life. The truth is we spend so much of our time communicating virtually already. Now the change is that virtual communication is not optional but somewhat necessary. As a computer scientist, I ask myself, “well, wasn’t this where we were heading anyways?” While a more natural shift was on its way, the global pandemic's unprecedented nature has forced us to become pictures on a screen.

So I wanted to create a quick guide to how I set up my days around virtual studying:

1. Keep a schedule: This is important. The past year for me has felt like an eternity. I lose track of what day it is, and utilizing a calendar application reminding you when your classes happen, has been critical to me staying focused throughout my days.
2. Daily to-do lists: I love my morning to-do lists. They allow me to focus on the things that matter and self-reflect on why I’m unproductive in certain areas while overworking in others. What works for me is having a paper to-do list like a planner that I keep open to the day and knock-out tasks as I go. Having it available throughout the day also allows me to stay on track as I don’t have to remember what I have to do but rather look at it.
3. Keep a “work is over” routine: Now that we no longer walk to where we need to be and classes all happen online, I no longer have a clear day-to-day. This caused me to feel like I needed to do work consistently. To break that, I started to go out on runs right after I was done working. This became a trigger to my mind that said, “work time is over.” This allowed me to stop burdening my free time with thoughts of projects and assignments and disconnected me from my work. I recommend finding an activity to be your end of day work ritual.
4. Having a second screen: Now, this recommendation is mainly a recommendation and an investment into what may seem like a short term thing. As a CompSci student, I find having a second screen connected to my laptop makes it easier to research and code at the same time. It also gives me more screen real-estate to see professors through zoom and follow along with readings. This is an extra cost but could help out if you find yourself creating tons of tabs while having multiple programs open.
5. Having an unimpeded view of the outside: I’ve ensured that I can look outside while working. The feeling of openness from the outside allows me to disconnect from my desk and feel the life given by mother nature.
6. 20/20/20 rule: After staring at a screen for 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This one is critical for both sanity and eyesight. I have horrible vision, so for me, this rule is imperative. I do this to make sure my eyes can focus properly. Staring at a screen for too long makes everything feel blurry, so this rule refreshes my eyes to keep then working. 

These are my tips. If you’d like to do them too, go ahead!