Find a planner, a notebook, a white board, or something that is going to help you stay organized.  Make to-do lists to keep track of due dates and prioritize your assignments. Setting a daily schedule for yourself and writing out your assignments is a great way to help you stay on top of your classes and manage the lack of structure in your day-to-day life.

Are you someone who checks their phone every five minutes when you’re supposed to be writing a paper? Put your phone in a separate room during your designated study hours! If you’re someone who gets easily distracted, try to close yourself off in a space where there’s nothing to do but work on your assignments. Once you’ve finished your work, you can welcome those distractions back with open arms!

Whether it’s someone from your class or a close friend, having an accountability buddy is a fun way to keep your focus! Ask a classmate to text you reminders of deadlines or call a friend who can help answer some of your homework questions. FaceTime a friend to do homework quietly together so there’s someone there to make sure you’re not getting lost in the abyss of Instagram instead of studying for an exam. Utilize your Laker community and help each other out!

Professors understand that this transition isn’t an easy one, and many of them are using Blackboard and emails to help you through your courses! Make sure to check your email at least once a day for any updates on your class or assignment reminders. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors either! They’re more than happy to help with any challenges you face during this time.