Tips on transitioning back to in-person!

As the school year begins to pick up and the campuses are bustling with activities after over a year of online learning, many are both excited and apprehensive to return back to normalcy. How will we manage the sudden transition? Will we be able to adapt to the sudden surge of in-person activities?

Here are some tips for smoothly transitioning back!

First, it is completely valid to feel nervous and anxious about returning to campus! We’ve all spent nearly 1.5 years online and now many of us will be required to use public transit and take part in face-to-face extracurricular activities in addition to our classes. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge that this transition will not be an easy one - we should be prepared to face some struggles along the way. 

Second, we must realize that this extended period of remote learning and staying at home has increased our levels of screen time. Most, if not all of our schooling, social interactions, case competitions, and extracurricular involvement occurred on a screen! A significant part of our transition back to in-person operations will be needing to reduce our screen-time and not using it unless necessary in order to remain productive. It will certainly be challenging as it felt so normal to turn to a screen when any work needed to be done, but now we must learn to engage in a different way.

Next, just like we need to adjust our screen-times, we must also adjust our schedules and our lifestyles to complement our new circumstances. A great way to fall into routine is to begin meal-planning and reworking our sleep schedules. There are many habits that we must fix from our time in remote learning in order to make our transition more manageable. 

For instance, wasn’t it convenient to simply wake up a few minutes before class? Wasn’t it so easy to just turn off our cameras and quickly dash to the kitchen for a snack mid-zoom call? Wasn’t it so helpful that our professors would post recordings of the lectures for us to either catch up later or make notes on something we may have missed during the live lecture? 

Now, we must take transit times and reduced access to our kitchens into consideration. Most classes will no longer be recorded and exams will most likely be closed-book. Therefore, to make it to class on time and stay productive, we must follow a consistent sleep schedule so we feel refreshed in the mornings and incorporate travel times into our days. To remain energized, stay hydrated and pack healthy snacks. We also need to fall back into the norm of regular revision in order to be prepared for our midterms and finals - be sure to make use of office hours and study groups as it will certainly be a lot easier to stay motivated now!

At this point, you must feel a bit overwhelmed - and that is perfectly understandable. By no means is this transition going to be easy, but there are ways to make it manageable: Goal setting and remaining flexible. 

By assessing ourselves and determining what needs to be achieved now versus what will take time, we can set short-term and long-term goals. Our long-term goals can even be a series of short-term goals that we follow in order to meet our objectives. Remember not to rush! Create a reasonable schedule that will challenge you but not overwhelm you. Gradually increase your activities instead of diving right back in, and be open to change; we live in uncertain, turbulent times where things are likely to change. Right now, flexibility is the key to success and it is okay if you are struggling to achieve your goals. You can always revisit them and rework them to suit your needs. 

Although, a great way to keep yourself on track is to designate an accountability partner to help motivate and support you. Be it a friend, partner, or classmate, it is always easier to work through things when you are not alone

This brings us to the point of scheduling some self-care and spending time with your loved ones! When times get tough and you feel overwhelmed, fall back on your support system. There is no better way to ground yourself than to speak to people you love and trust. Sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences and allowing yourself to be heard can help you stay motivated and optimistic. Be sure to take some time for yourself - go on walks in the outdoors, watch a few episodes of your favourite show and order in from your favourite takeaway place. Invite your friends over and just relax! These are great methods of self-care that will help you avoid burnout. Treat yourself, you’ve worked hard!

Finally, reach out for help and support when you need it. Or even before that - a great way to stay on track is to be proactive. SFU’s Health and Counselling Services (https://www.sfu.ca/students/health/resources.html) provide a number of services ranging from podcasts, yoga, relaxing content to keep you focused while you study or wind down, and self-guided meditation recordings! You can find a list of all on and off-campus services here: https://www.sfu.ca/students/health/resources/support-options.html

Best of luck! And remember to take care of yourself! While these are stressful and trying times, there is still tons to look forward to :)