The recent notification from Penn State that we will be shifting to online education for the next three weeks has been a little bit of an awakening for both me and my friends.I feel like the transition to college and living on your own is a big step that while difficult teaches many, self autonomy, effective work strategies and basic habits needed to stay healthy. And after one semester at school I think many have the gist on what is essential to them staying productive and maintaining a good quality of life at school. But this newly learned dynamic would seem to be thrown into chaos now that we have to adjust to working from home.
I know for me this will be a trial of my fortitude and commitment to actually learning the material. Being back home offers so many distractions that I didn’t have while away. I have a lot more friends here to pull my attention away and my dogs that want to go on walks and family that wants to eat dinner together. I also now have to plan all of my training sessions by myself because there will be no team to train with here. Overall its a shift from the efficient and focused lifestyle I had been maintaining at Penn State.
But what it has opened the door to is a new experience. I love to do work outside by a lake or in the woods where my mind is quiet. This was something I couldn’t do at college and I am already enjoying it. This blog in fact is being written by the shores of Chauncey Pond in Westborough Mass, on a small dirt road only a select few know about. Its one of the only places left around home where I can escape the distractions. I think this is going to be the most important thing for many people. Trying to find a location that works for them, where they wont be distracted will be hard bu tit is the easiest way to succeed.
Another thing people will need to focus on is their attention to detail. Things can get mixed up in online communication and this can cause issues for grading and due dates. I know that I will personally be keeping more up to date on my calendar and emails. Both of these are essential if you want to stay on track while at home.
Overall I think this transition back to home will be interesting to reflect on. I hope that my work ethic continues while I am home and my parents get to see the level of effort I am used to putting into my work. I think they will be pleasantly surprised with the man I have become and the habits that I now keep. Hopefully with focusing on these key things I will continue to stay productive at home. It will be very interesting to see how this effects the Penn State Community, hopefully everyone stays safe.
I know that this transition will definitely be trying for me. I am far less productive and cannot focus as well at home. It is also difficult to deal with quarantines and social distancing. Overall, it will be a tough transition for everybody.
The situation for the remainder of the semester certainly presents an interesting opportunity. Upon graduating from high school, many of my friends from home and I wished we were all going to the same college. This situation actually gives us the opportunity to experience college (in a modified way haha) with our friends from home. As you mentioned, this also gives us the opportunity to learn by a lake, at the park, or wherever we choose. This is probably, and hopefully, a once in a lifetime situation, but we might as well make the most of it.
I think remote and virtual learning provides us a unique experience that we can all learn from.
I relate to your take on this situation because I’ve thought many of these same things. I loved my routine at school and now find that it was sooo beneficial in keeping me productive. I miss my dorm, my gym, and my regular meals. You’re very right that home brings an insane amount of distractions which is weird because we’re stuck in our houses. I realize that remote learning may provide a new learning experience but idc what anyone says, it blows.