Written by Elizabeth Monkemeier, Class of 2023
Welcome to RU NAfME’s blog! This is a post with some ideas on how to make your online semester at Rutgers a little easier and a little more fun. :)
1. Make your schedule!
You can use the one on your WebReg page or use another schedule generator, but I find it so helpful to have a visual representation of my schedule at my desk. Because all of our classes take place in the same setting and we aren’t running around to different buildings, having your schedule can help differentiate and put you in that campus mindset! You can also add your lesson and office hours to the schedule to make it more comprehensive and to blend your home and school life so you can balance.
2. Have a desk/workspace!
Yes, there have been days where I groggily pull my laptop onto my chest in bed and attend a lecture with my camera off, but it’s a spice to be used sparingly! I keep my binders, writing materials, computer charger, and microphone on my desk so that it feels like I am going to class when I sit down. I’ve also shaken it up and gone outside in nicer weather or just down to the kitchen when I know no one’s there. Just as long as it isn’t your bed or couch, it is so much easier to separate school on your computer from just watching another video in your bed.
3. Make a practice space!
I miss practice rooms! And I try to recreate that by keeping a stand right next to my desk with my microphone so I kind of feel more like a recording musician. It helps to have your instrument materials and literature and stand in a space where it feels more organic to sit down and get to it, much like a practice room does. But, just like your desk, you can change this up! Coordinate with other people in your house so that you can make musical noise and set up camp wherever inspires you. It will help you stay inspired!
4. Follow other musicians on Instagram (if that’s your thing!)
I miss practice rooms! For another reason: I loved hearing what everyone else was up to and coming in and telling them that I love their piece! Now I just comment on peoples’ posts to tell them that. I think there is so much merit to following other musicians on social media, such as Instagram (@runafme) and Youtube. I have a practice account and it has helped me come up with more ideas for practice, and see a tangible lineup of all the days that I have practiced in quarantine learning. I think practice accounts can provide another aspect of community that we miss as we go to MGSA remotely this semester. Consider adding this or some form of it to your day to stay connected outside of classes!
5. Build in study and practice time each day/week!
I have a totally different mindset at home, like everyone, because I always have so many other obligations than just school. I think it’s so important to budget your time and add it to your phone calendar or physical schedule so that you know you have enough time to accomplish all that you want! I have a by arrangement liberal arts class that will be asynchronous (recorded lectures and powerpoints) but I still budget 2 hours a week in my schedule to watch and listen to those lectures because it is easy to let them slide without a face-to-face component. Practicing time as well, because as I mentioned above, you may have to use different times of day to appease the other people living with you. Make it so much easier on yourself by planning ahead and being open to modifying your schedule if something doesn’t work!
6. Make Zoom/Skype/Google Study Dates with your friends!
I also really miss Mortensen Hall and Mabel Smith Douglass Library because they were spaces that I went to with friends to study and work on lecture notes each day. I’ve managed to recreate this mental space by calling my friends on Skype/Zoom to just mute ourselves at our desks and work. We usually check in about our days in the beginning, but then mute ourselves to work. You can keep your mics on, but we all knew that one person whose keyboard was the loudest in the lecture. I like to turn my mic on to make a joke but otherwise, it helps to have a quiet space while still having the camaraderie of other people studying with you!
7. Set alarms for each day (TRUST ME)
I always sleep in when I am home! And especially if it’s a morning class or something during lunch time, set an alarm! Attendance and punctuality are important to your grades, class comprehension, and relationships to your professors!
8. Go to office hours! Reach out!
Lastly, as our favorite advisor tells us, the formula for success is as follows: go to class, do the work, and ask for help when you need it. We all want to see you succeed!
It is so exciting to be back at school with you all! Always reach out when you have questions, especially to the NAfME officers on how you can get involved with us!
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