After the coronavirus pandemic, many universities have established a hybrid curriculum that combines online classes (on-demand, real-time) and face-to-face classes. While there are benefits of reducing commuting time, we often hear concerns such as it's easy to disrupt your daily rhythm'' and it’s hard to make friends.’’ In this article, we will introduce how to balance online and face-to-face classes and have a fulfilling university life.
Advantages of online classes and common traps
The biggest advantages of online classes are “flexibility of time (in the case of on-demand classes)” and “reduction of commuting time.” You can use your free time to work part-time, study for qualifications, or pursue your hobbies. However, you need to be careful about the ``hoarding syndrome,’’ where you end up watching dozens of hours of videos before the final exam because you put them off just because you can watch them anytime.
Tips for efficient schedule management
1. “Fix” the timetable
Even if it’s an on-demand class, it’s best to incorporate it into your timetable and make it fixed by saying, ``I’ll watch it every Tuesday during the second period.’’ Block it as an event in your planner or Google calendar.
2. Have a place to concentrate “outside of home”
If you can’t help but succumb to the temptation of using your bed or smartphone at home, creating a place like a university library, cafe, or co-working space where you can go and watch classes will make it easier to switch on and off.
Maximize the value of face-to-face classes
Precisely because face-to-face classes are decreasing, the value of going to university is increasing.
1. Utilize time before and after class
On days of face-to-face classes, it is a waste to simply take the class and go home. Make a conscious effort to make time to ``talk directly to people’’ by using free time to ask questions to professors, or by exchanging information with friends in the school cafeteria.
2. Intentionally choose classes that involve group work
When registering for courses, we also recommend choosing face-to-face classes (seminar or small class) that involve a lot of group work and discussion. This is a great opportunity to build coincidental encounters'' and friendships born from small talk’’ that are difficult to make online.
How to spend your time to maintain physical and mental health
When online classes continue, students tend to stay in front of their computers all day, resulting in a lack of exercise and communication.
- Intentional exercise: Since you don’t have many opportunities to walk to school, make a conscious effort to take a walk or do some light stretching.
- Online interaction: Even if you can’t meet face-to-face, it is effective to maintain motivation by creating groups on SNS with students who are taking the same classes, or by using ``online study rooms’’ where you study together while connecting via Zoom.
Summary
The hybrid online and face-to-face learning method is also an opportunity to acquire skills that will be useful even after entering the workforce, such as time management skills. Take advantage of the benefits of each to find your own best learning rhythm.