7 Tips to Help You Re-Adjust to In-Person Classes

The Coronavirus pandemic significantly impacted our way of life and created new definitions for the word “normal”. As college campuses are opening up and classes are resuming, what once was the norm for college students is now foreign and unfamiliar.

Are you a college student starting classes again? Do you feel out of place and uncomfortable being in in-person classes? Looking for tips to help you succeed? Here are seven tips to help you re-adjust back to in-person classes and make the most of your college experience!

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1. Be Organized: At the start of the pandemic in 2020, the switch from in-person classes to learning from home brought about new ways of learning, studying, and going to college as a whole. Though you may have been used to having more freedom in terms of when you check in to class, turn off your camera for Zoom, or decide to comment on your class discussion board, returning to in-person classes may take some time to readjust to. Due to this, it’s important to stay organized so the change of environment doesn’t overwhelm you and leave you feeling unprepared for your courses. Have folders and notebooks for each class, take note of each professor and their room/office hours, look ahead into due dates for important assignments, etc.

2. Establish a Schedule: A huge benefit to virtual learning was the fact that you could have total freedom with your schedule. Without any concern or need to worry about commuting to campus, timing trips from buildings between classes, factoring in lunch or snack breaks, and carving out time to study or go to work, learning from home was unlike what many students have experienced before.

When adjusting back to in-person classes, be sure to establish a schedule for yourself so you don’t lose track of time or assignments and end up behind in your classes.  Stephanie Gala, director of Azusa Pacific University’s Academic Success Center suggests, “Keeping an organized schedule and time management is key. Using scheduling tools and calendars, such as Google Calendar, will help you stay organized.”

3. Engage with Your Professors: When learning from home, you were, for the most part, completely disconnected from both your professors and fellow classmates. Participation could be awkward, engaging with students and your professors was awkward, and leaving your camera on for the rest of class to see you and your home was, well awkward. Upon starting in-person classes again, take advantage of being around both your professor and classmates. Participate in class by answering questions or offering to read a section of your assignment, connect with your professor through office hours, and correspond with them via email after class hours if need be.

4. Talk with Classmates: As stated earlier, communication while learning virtually was awkward. The unfamiliar nature of online learning, along with not being in a classroom with classmates made engaging with professors and fellow students uncomfortable. As you start in-person classes again, familiarize yourself with students that sit around you. Introduce yourself, ask them about their major, where they live on campus, etc. Forming a relationship with classmates makes for a more personal, fun way of learning again. Additionally, doing so can help you, as you can collaborate with them for study groups, swap notes, etc.

5. Utilize On-Campus Resources: Though some on-campus resources were made available on campus during lockdown and virtual learning, the effect and experience are just not the same. Most students did not have the motivation to utilize these resources or they simply were not as heavily promoted as they usually are on-campus. When returning back to campus and in-person learning, take advantage of on-campus resources like the career center, academic advising center, tutoring, counseling, and more.

6. Prioritize Your Health: With a big adjustment like switching from online to in-person classes, you can get carried away with balancing schoolwork with other responsibilities like work or on-campus activities. Doing so can leave you feeling burnt out and running on empty, which is not good for you physically and mentally. Remember to prioritize your health as you return to campus; eat balanced meals, de-stress and unwind when you can, talk to a campus counselor or therapist if you’re suffering from anxiety or depression, and do what is most healthy for your mind and spirit.

Additionally, as the pandemic is still ongoing, don’t forget to wear a mask, wash your hands, and use hand sanitizer after each class or when you are going to eat/drink. Debra Murray of the College Heights Herald suggests, “By carrying extra masks, hand sanitizer or cleaning wipes, you will never have to worry about being without a mask while you’re in a rush.”

7. Be Prepared for Change: As the pandemic is ongoing and cases are starting to rise again, be prepared for change, meaning, campuses closing and switching back to virtual learning. Though this change is something that none of us want to anticipate, it can help to slow the spread of the virus and get life back to true normalcy again.

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Though the adjustment back to in-person classes can be harsh and difficult at times, by following these tips, you can easily readjust to being back on campus and in class with your peers and professors. Good luck!