Author: Red Lipped Batfish

        Finding and sticking to a routine is something that helps me feel more organized, comfortable, and confident in my success. It helps me to manage my day, to make sure my homework is done on time, to make sure I get to class on time, etc. Finding this routine, however, is not as easy as I would like it to be. One of my biggest academic stressors is finding this routine and sticking to it. The worst time for me during the academic year is the very beginning of each semester. There are new classes I have to learn the location of and a class schedule I have to stick to. This means I have to plan my day around how long it takes me to get to class if I have time to go back to my dorm or not, and if I even have time to get from class to class; I have a habit of signing up for eighteen credits a semester, and all the classes are ten minutes apart from each other, and they’re on different sides of campus.
        Another one of my academic stressors is balancing work and my academic life. I need to work enough hours that I can afford to live and feed myself, but I also need to make sure I’m giving myself enough time to complete homework and study. On top of that all, I also need to make room for myself and my social life, because without it I go a bit stir-crazy! I work for the events crew, so it’s an on-campus job, and I can’t go over twenty-five hours, so I do, in theory, have enough time for everything even if I work the full twenty-five hours. But I always try to work a little under just to give myself extra time. I know

that my boss and professors would more than likely accommodate one or the other if I need to. But it stresses me out to the point I get sick if I miss too many classes or too many assignments, and even if I don’t work enough! Balancing all these things can get overwhelming very fast, and then I feel like I don’t even enjoy it when I’m making time for myself because I’m just stressed out about how much time I have for other things! 

 Medium.com

      Online classes can be beneficial for certain types of students. Say you struggle with being in a classroom setting, or you work better being alone. Online classes can be the perfect fit for you. Most online classes still have a set schedule, just like in-person classes. However, because it’s online, you can work from the comfort of your room, or house, or maybe a comfy place in the library. What could be better than that? Online classes can be great for reducing the distraction of other classmates as well. You can choose to be alone to do your class or meet up with friends while doing your online class. Some online classes are also asynchronous, meaning that you follow your own schedule. Asynchronous classes can have set due dates, and the professor will usually leave online video lectures for you to watch, but you do not have a set class time and can do things at your own pace. This can be very helpful if you have a tight schedule, but need to get more classes in.

The Cougar Chronicle

      However, these same benefits can also be drawbacks, depending on what type of student you are. If you rely on structure and benefit from set schedules, asynchronous classes can be a nightmare for you. If you get distracted easily, being in a setting other than a classroom may not have the best effect on you. It could be easier to get sidetracked or do something else instead of the class if you choose to take the class in your room, especially if you’re taking it while lying in bed, or a comfy chair in your room. Sleeping becomes much easier as well. Because your camera is off, it’s much easier to close your eyes and drift to sleep, you don’t have a teacher in person to wake you up. Adding to this, because rooms are where you sleep, your brain is more likely to make you feel tired while you’re taking the class. So it can be harder to stay awake and pay attention. Additionally, the lack of in-person classmates can make it harder to make friends or make connections, and who doesn’t want a new friend? When you miss a class, your first instinct is usually to ask your peer for help; however, it would be a lot harder to ask one of your classmates for notes if you have never seen that person and have no idea what they’re like in class.