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Written By

Hannah Gray

College

College of Healthcare Sciences

Publish Date

3 April 2020

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Tips for success during COVID-19

People all over the world are engaging in social distancing and self-isolation to protect both their health and the health of others. For students and employees, this means adapting to operating from home. This new situation can be overwhelming, stressful and intimidating, but don’t panic! We have some tips that can keep you crushing it during the COVID-19 crisis.

Dress for Success

The best way to start a productive day is to get ready. Even if your commitment to self-isolation means not leaving your house, get ready as though you were going to your office or classroom. Shower, get dressed and even brush your teeth! This may seem simple or obvious, but it has a large effect on your productivity.

Create Your Space

Channel your inner Marie Kondo or Bobby Berk and get to work on a space that gives you room to work. A space dedicated to your work or study time gets you into the mindset to be productive and keeps your work-time and chill-time from cross-contaminating. Keep it clean, keep it organised and keep it real.

Make a Plan, Stick to the Plan

How do you deliver by your deadlines? What’s the key to consistent productivity? Become a work and study boss by making a plan that keeps you on track for deadlines and goals. Divide your workload into manageable portions each day so you don’t overwork yourself. Set goals that keep you delivering and feeling confident in your work. Don’t forget to include breaks to ensure that you stay an active learner. When the monotony of self-isolation gets to you, your plan is there to keep you on track.

Practice Participation

Self-isolation doesn’t mean dropping off the grid. Stay connected by participating in online discussions, whether it be for a work meeting or a tutorial. Be an active communicator in the virtual room. If you followed our first tip, you can even turn on your camera and show a friendly face to your fellow social distance practitioners.

Access Your Resources

Studying from home may mean less one-on-one time with your lecturer or tutor, but that doesn’t mean you are lacking for resources. Jump onto LearnJCU and utilise the tools that your academic has given to you. That doesn’t just mean your weekly readings or recorded lectures – your fellow classmates can be a resource as well. Collaborate to learn content and stay connected. Support each other with your knowledge and insight as well as your smile and encouragement. Check out our tips for Learning Online for ways to collaborate effectively.

Happy to Help

You aren’t limited to just your online content and classmates, though. JCU teaching and service staff are here to help and support you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Reach out to your lecturer or tutor for help with your subject – they want to see you succeed. If you’re struggling, don’t forget that JCU has support services in place to meet students’ needs.

Boundaries Are Your Friend

If you’re working from home, it can feel like you’re spending all day at the office. Don’t get work fatigue – set boundaries to protect your mental health. Set a start and finish time for your workday and do your best to respect it. Set yourself goals throughout your day for what you need to finish – don’t try to fit more than you can handle into your day. For your online meetings, be respectful of the time limit that is set so that you and your colleagues can follow their plan for the day.

Distant but Dear

Social distancing is important, but it doesn’t have to mean cutting yourself off from the world. Connection is vital for your mental health. Connect with your work and classmates. Connect with your friends. There are so many ways to stay in touch, like messaging, phone and video calls and social media. Support others with your time and words and allow others to support you.

Stay Active

Just as connection is vital to your health, exercise is, too. Most of us probably don’t have an at-home gym for all of our workout needs, but just getting outside in the fresh air for a walk or a run can have invaluable effects on our physical and mental health. Take care of yourself as you social distance so that you can take care of others.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, help is available at Beyond Blue or through Lifeline on 13 11 14. JCU students seeking help can also book sessions with the free JCU Counselling Service.

Interested in how the mind affects our work? Check out JCU Psychology. Or, if you find the dynamics of productivity fascinating, consider what you can do with JCU Business.

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