Tips for Working or Studying From Home

By Destiny Torres

On a typical morning I wake up, get dressed and head to school or work but these are not typical times. Schools are suspending in-person classes and most companies are having their employees work from home. If you’re like me, working from home is not easy to manage.

To keep some of my sanity, I made myself a routine that can help me work from home and get things done.

1. Don’t go straight to your technology.

I’ll be the first to admit that the first thing I usually do when I wake up is look at my phone. As of late though, if the first thing I do is go to my phone, I either wind up spending too much time on TikTok or reading too many pandemic-related articles that send my anxiety spiraling. To avoid this, try to stay away from technology in your morning and get out of bed to start your routine; I promise it will be there when you get back.

2. Start your usual morning routine.

Do what you typically do when you get ready to go to school or work. This doesn’t necessarily mean putting on your usual face of make-up or getting dressed in your usual office outfit. Get out of your pajamas and into something comfortable that still makes you feel productive. Have your morning cup of coffee, eat breakfast and do the things that your morning routine usually consists of. This way you can get your mind and body prepared for your workday.

3. Create a workspace.

Now it’s time to make the long commute to your office. Set up a space where you can work (no, you can’t work from bed). Spaces have a huge effect on your mentality, so create a space where you can be productive and not get distracted. I tried setting myself up at my dining table, far away from the temptation of my bed. I learned that if I work from my bed, I can get so comfortable that I end up having multiple “breaks” and not getting anything done.

4. Behold the power of a to-do list.

Lists are my holy grail, especially when working from the confines of my home. To ensure you get everything done, write down all your tasks whether they’re big or small. This is a great way to clear your brain and organize your time. Working from home has tested my time-management skills and lists have kept me productive. Also, the best feeling is crossing things off that list, but that might just be me.

5. Give yourself work breaks.

All work and no-fun can make it unmotivating to do any work at all. I suggest giving yourself a few breaks, especially when hitting that afternoon slum that creeps in and makes it feel like time is going by too slow. A break doesn’t mean you can head to bed and scroll through your phone. I usually like to clean my room or make myself lunch. This way I don’t make my mind and body think the workday is over.

I’m used to being at school or in my professional workplace when doing work, so these changes have been challenging. Following these tips has helped me remain productive and get my work done from home. These are uneasy times for everyone. Although it is important to stay on top of your professional duties, do not forget to take care of yourself (physically and mentally) and be safe.

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