Focus Up: 5 tips for a productive online school day

I hastily closed my laptop as I stood up from my desk and collapsed into my bed for a 20 minute power nap, which left me just enough time to work on my already growing pile of homework. My first week of online school was complete. 

After zoning out for the majority of my classes, my eyes were glazed over from staring at my glaring MacBook screen for seven hours. My head was throbbing and my energy was completely zapped.

A few days ago, the thought of online school seemed simple: wake up, throw on a presentable shirt, power up Webex and get through an easy day of classes. 

So why was I so exhausted?

I thought back to the beginning of my day and the routine I’d followed —  hunched over in the same spot at my desk with maybe a bathroom break here and there. 

I really hadn’t had a full meal, either, with the exception of a granola bar and a handful of M&M’s every once in a while. 

My desk that I’d organized just yesterday was now cluttered with a kombucha bottle, La Croix can, three different water cups that I’d only taken a few sips out of and random wrappers.

My screen time had gone up three hours — mainly from TikTok — while zoning out as my teachers droned on with introductions and seemingly endless get-to-know-you activities. How many more times could I say my favorite part of the summer? 

Falling into a deep sleep, I knew there was no way my school year would be productive if I kept this routine going. So I decided I needed to make some changes. 

Hydrate!

To start off my day, before anything else, I drank a full glass of water. I then filled up my huge water bottle to keep next to me all day. If you’re bad at remembering to drink water, I recommend playing a fun game where you take a sip every time someone on the call glitches out or a teacher says “Can you guys hear me?”— My water bottle was empty by fourth hour, leaving me hydrated and energized. 

Get Up and Move!

The great thing about drinking water is that it gives you a reason to get up and move around — you’re gonna have to pee at least every 30 minutes. Each time I got up to go to the bathroom in between classes, I’d do a quick little stretch. 

Sitting hunched at your desk or slouched in your bed doesn’t do you any good—  Say hello to back problems, hip pain and neck aches! Even just sitting up a little straighter every few minutes gave my back a nice pop. Here are a few of my favorite stretches that made my body and mind feel so refreshed: 

Supine Twist

What it Stretches: gluteus, chest and obliques

How long it takes: 20-30 seconds

Butterfly

What it Stretches: Inner thighs, groin, hips and lower back

How long it takes: 20-30 seconds

Neck Stretches

Staring down at your MacBook causes an aching neck within minutes. Just a few slow neck circles or tilts during in between classes are so nice to loosen up strained muscles. 

Change Locations!

I spent the days leading up to school reorganizing and making my room into the perfect studying environment, but sitting in the same room for seven hours straight can have detrimental effects on your focus and productivity.

At school we move classrooms every hour, so I decided this week I would try rotating locations in my house. I started out in my room, then when English rolled around I headed out to my dining room table. For third hour, I went down to my basement. Once the sun was finally out, I went outside and sat on my patio for fourth. With every hour giving me a change of scenery, my head felt much clearer and my focus was greatly increased.

Change of Clothes!

For the first few days, I couldn’t be happier to lounge around in sweats and the same shirt I’d slept in, but it also kept me in the sleeping mindset. I still treated myself to stay in my comfiest clothes for the first hour, but changed into a fresh, daytime outfit and this helped me a lot. It’s so tempting to stay in what’s comfiest, but it definitely makes me sleepier and wish even more I could head back to bed. Besides, we don’t wear pajamas to school, right? 

Put the Phone Away!!!

This was — and still is — by far the most difficult for me, but I knew it had to be done. I couldn’t bring myself to take a complete phone detox, but I set my phone on “do not disturb” to resist any sort of urge everytime my phone screen lit up with a Snapchat or enticing TikTok notification. I allowed myself to only check in when teacher’s gave us breaks or in between classes. This not only brought down my concerningly high screen time, but allowed me to fully focus.

By the end of the day, I was hydrated, refreshed and energized, ready to get through all my homework. If you’re struggling to get through the seemingly endless days of online school, try out these tips and focus up!