Staying sane during a pandemic is hard enough, not to mention staying productive. With classes and meetings being online because of COVID-19, the way people work and study has changed. Outside stressors are frequently affecting people’s mental health, often acting as a distraction. Many people’s schedules are now different, as the pandemic disrupts all aspects of life. Particularly, the switch to virtual learning and work has forced people to change their routines and, in many cases, thrown off their productivity. 

Personally, staying productive during the pandemic is difficult when I have online classes because there are reduced opportunities to change my work environment. Before the pandemic, I used to switch up my environment by studying at coffee shops, libraries or other public places. However, with COVID-19 guidelines and social distancing,  I now have to rely on switching up my study space in my dorm to maintain productivity.

I’ve learned that the way I arrange my room is important to me staying focused and motivated. By maintaining separation between places to relax and study, I’m able to prevent distractions and keep my mind focused on schoolwork. For example, my desk is moved away from my bed to create a physical and mental separation between my workspace and my resting space. Additionally, I keep all school-related materials on or near my desk to further create a distinction.

I make sure to keep my desk clutter-free and strictly organized. I’ve found that if I have a cluttered space, it negatively affects my productivity. I keep my office supplies organized in designated containers and areas of my desk. Utilizing drawers to keep papers sorted – rather than letting them pile up – has helped me stay focused. For my online classes, it’s important to have a designated charging area to ensure that I’m prepared for class and my chargers don’t get misplaced. During my class time and study time, I’ve been extra careful to avoid using my phone or other unnecessary electronics which is especially tempting during Zoom classes or when I am studying alone.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve noticed that staying organized is more difficult when trying to manage ever-changing in-person and virtual obligations. The way I’ve improved my organization is by keeping both a physical planner as well as a regularly updated online calendar. Additionally, I use sticky-notes to keep track of to-do lists throughout the day in my workspace and to keep track of thoughts that come up as I am studying since that is quicker than stopping to update my planner or calendar. 

Although I try to actively avoid clutter, I do have small things that bring me joy at my workspace, such as photos and small decorative items near my desk that add an element of comfortability. In particular, little things like my zen garden breaks the monotony of schoolwork and adds a personal touch. Other items like personal journals and some of my favorite books also add to my environment to make it more enjoyable.

In the days of virtual learning, it’s more important than ever to create a functional space to stay productive and motivated while living at home. Here are five tips to make your space work for you. 

1. Find your space. 

Some people may find they can work anywhere, but if you’re struggling to concentrate, it may help to clearly define the space you work in. Whether you work in your room, your basement or somewhere else, it helps to make your study space separate from the places where you relax and unwind. Having a consistent space to work in can even increase productivity because your brain will come to associate that area with studying. 

2. Set it up.

Once you identify your work space, set it up to maximize productivity. Make sure you have everything you need – like pens, pencils, sticky notes, etc. – nearby. Having everything on hand will keep you from having to take unnecessary breaks to search for something. You should also keep the area as clutter-free as possible to limit distractions and decrease anxiety. 

3. Make it comfortable. 

Let’s be honest, no one wants to spend hours somewhere uncomfortable. By adding pillows to your chair, increasing lighting and putting up pictures or decor that make you happy, you’ll find your study space is somewhere you actually want to go, even if you don’t feel like working. 

4. Keep a schedule. 

Since making the transition to online school, you may find your daily routine has gone out the window. Set up a schedule where you block out the time you study and stick to it. Keeping a daily planner or setting alarms and timers on your phone can help with this. Make sure to plan blocks for when you’ll be working on each class, as well as when you’ll be taking a break. By having a time when you are allowed to step away from studying, you’ll be able to focus more when the time comes to work. 

5. Set up rules. 

While you’re studying, do what you need to limit distractions as much as possible. Figure out if you work best in absolute silence or if you need background noise. Keep your phone in another room if you need to. Setting up rules can also apply to family members, so if you are having to share a space with someone else or if you keep getting distracted by your siblings, let your family know what rules you have and what you need from them. This will give you the privacy and space you need to concentrate on school. 

By making these simple changes, you can create a positive, productive space for yourself to power through the rest of the semester. Focus on what you need, and create the space around that.