How to keep your schedule under control while learning online
Are you struggling with your time management while learning or working online from home? Here are some tips for maintaining control of your time. First and foremost, get up at your normal time and complete your morning routine, including getting dressed and eating breakfast! Learning and working from home can cause you to focus solely on working. Second, set up a workspace away from your bed/bedroom. Third, at the time you would leave, go to your workspace, and prepare for your day.
1. Have a calendar with time slots, electronic or paper, available to plan your day
2. Plan your day including:
a. Work times
b. Activities at specific times, such as class, study, lunch, and breaks
c. Meals
d. Communication with colleagues, family, and friends
e. End of workday
f. Bedtime!
3. Use a timer or electronic reminders to move to the next item on your list.
4. Begin working.
5. End working.
Set aside time for cooking, cleaning, leaving to exercise (even if just in another room), weekend activities, and shopping if needed. Finally, remember to include due dates for assignments. As you plan for your day above, check the learning management system (LMS) used at your school for assignments, activities, and meetings. Add these to your calendar as well. At the starting time of your class or job, begin working.
For those of you working together on projects, there are several ways to communicate easily. Programs such as Zoom, Skype, and social media applications can reduce the perception of distance. Download these easily from the appropriate website onto the computer and phone. Classmates can set up daily review meetings in Zoom. Learning management systems also have Wiki features for discussions.
This may seem obsessive, but as said above people either focus on one thing for a while or shift from one thing to another in minutes without completing any given task. By creating a schedule to work with and using a timer or alarms, one can complete many tasks and feel accomplished at the end of the day. Using the regular schedule will assist in returning to a normal schedule when the isolation period is over. With a schedule in mind, new habits can be formed to assist in a normal schedule later as well.
Anne Montgomery
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August 23, 2018
Here is another blog post dedicated to Nerdify reviews of the most interesting and important stuff. This time we want you to meet Chelsey – one of our top Nerds. Hear her out.
Hello, I’m Chelsey. I decided to contribute into Nerdify Reviews topic to share my experience and help people who suffer from the phenomenon of “unhealthy perfectionism”. I see myself as a perfectionist, albeit an unhealthy one. I mentally criticize people (specifically new ones) who I think do not meet my standards or expectations.
I’m afraid of failure because I always want to be “perfect”. In school, I exert as much effort as I can in my exams. When the results are not in my favor, I would internally beat myself up for not getting the grade I desire. I tend to be overly cautious of taking risks, possibly rooted from my fear of failure. If I stay in my comfort zone, then nothing will happen.
I conducted a short research about perfectionism, and I’d say that (to an extent) I inhibit one of the main signs of a perfectionist. I’m not surprised; perfectionism does have harmful effects on my mental health.
What is Perfectionism?
Perfect means “… being entirely without fault or defect.” Now, if we look at Merriam-Webster’s definition of perfectionism, it means “… to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable.”
In psychology, perfectionism in the psychological field means “… striving for flawlessness and setting high-performance standards….”
If they do not meet such standards, it would take a huge toll on their self-esteem and self-worth. On the same vein, unattained goals and standards would contribute to disappointment and unhappiness. Possibly, even depression.
Why is it a Toxic Trait?
People usually regard perfectionism as a “positive” trait. I’ve read articles that it is a cliché answer to the job question, “what is your weakness?”
Yes, it can be your weakness. But did you know perfectionism is more than that? Are you aware that it is toxic to your mental health and detrimental to your growth? For the curious soul, here are the reasons why:
You can’t bring yourself to commit mistakes or experience failure, for they make you believe you are incompetent. You have to be ready to face failure in order to be successful.
You don’t celebrate with pure joy and happiness. Instead, your success and achievements are met with scorn and self-criticism. Negative self-talk is what harms your happiness. You are too focused on the negative aspect of things.
You are afraid of being judged. You like other people to see you as a perfect human being (when in fact, you’re not). Perhaps you are hesitant in stating your flaws, as it may ruin your “perfect” self. There’s internal pressure involved too.
Apparently, these reasons are also correlated with the signs of perfectionism. Let us move on.
Five Signs of Perfectionism
1. Setting high (unrealistic) goals and standards
There’s nothing bad in establishing standards and not settling for anything less. It’s not even bad to have high goals. However, creating unrealistic standards and goals is unhealthy because they have to be realistic. Further, you are pressured to accomplish your goal no matter what. You may even have the tendency to expect that everyone has to abide by your… demanding and ultra-high standards. As said by Amy Morin, a psychotherapist. perfectionists are critical of people and expect them to be perfect as well.
2. Fear of failure/Making mistakes and staying within your comfort zone
You set a goal for yourself, but you are afraid of failure. In that regard, you are more inclined to focus on the end results (without fail) rather than enjoying the thrill and experience of achieving your goal. On the other hand, you refuse to move out of your “shell” because you don’t want to disappoint yourself (or anyone). Hence, you lean towards tasks you can do successfully—100% guaranteed. This brings more harm than good to your mental health and personal growth.
3. Trust issues
According to Elizabeth Lombardo Ph.D., perfectionists rarely delegate tasks because they think that their peers cannot do the job correctly. In practical settings, you don’t trust your colleagues enough if you want to assign them work. In the end, you do everything by yourself.
4. Low self-esteem and unhappiness
Let’s say you are angry with yourself because you failed to reach your goals. You immediately conclude you are inadequate and flawed. It can leave you a feeling of unhappiness and dissatisfaction. Kendra Cherry states that fear of failure is a sign of low self-esteem.
5. Negative self-talk and too critical
Perfectionists have the habit of finding faults in their achievements— no matter how small that is. You loathe yourself because you are not good enough. Therefore, your mind ends up being clouded with negative thoughts. You are also too critical of other people. Like I said, perfectionists highly expect their peers to be of “high standard” and “perfect”. This may push (or intimidate) people away. Unfortunately, it can lead to loneliness.
Overcoming Perfectionism: What Can You Do?
1. Accept the realities of life
Let’s do a reality check—you have to acknowledge that everyone, including you, makes mistakes in life. We fail in life— tests, interviews, work, assignments, and etc. At the end of the day, they push us to do better and improve ourselves. Just like everyone else, you have flaws. Don’t expect people to be exactly like you. Every individual is different. 2
2. Take on the challenge
Risk-taking is hard, as we do not know what is beyond the abyss of the unknown. If you are eyeing an activity that you’ve always wanted to try, go on ahead… don’t be afraid of failure and mistakes. Let go, and experience the “challenge” in all its glory.
3. Be open to learning
We have to reskill to cater to the demands of the 21st century. Skills are also a plus point in the workforce. When you are learning, always remember that everyone starts out as a noob or a newbie.
4. Set realistic goals and standards
Be grounded in reality! It’s fine to have high standards, but they have to be realistic. Use your standards as a guide or a framework, rather as an absolute ideal. Also, make your goals feasible (Remember SMART?). Again, don’t let failure bring you down. Failure does not mean that you are garbage, and it does not define who you are. As said by Oscar the Grouch, “just because you’re trash doesn’t mean you can’t do great things. It is called garbage can, not garbage cannot.”
Don’t forget to reward yourself if you achieved something big or small. Bring nothing but good vibes ☺
5. Learn to trust and delegate tasks
This is a leap of fate you must take. If you are overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask your colleague for assistance. You have to learn to understand and work with your peers. Bear in mind that you can’t do everything by yourself all the time.
After reading about perfectionism, I realized that I need to work on myself. I’d say that it was an eye-opening experience. Perfectionism is embedded in my psyche, and it will be a challenge to completely get rid of it. I hope this article has made you reflect on yourself.
How about you? Do you consider yourself as a perfectionist?
xoxo, Chelsey
More Nerdify reviews to come, stay tuned!
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February 15, 2024
The costs of studying in college can really pile up, so it pays to find side gigs that can contribute towards paying for tuition and other living expenses while in college. In this blog, Nerdify Reviews team explores 7 jobs that can help students make money while in college.
The 7 Most Popular Side Jobs Preferred by College Students
Given the high cost of tuition while in college, along with challenges in finding lucrative job offerings, many students are turning to side jobs that not only support them in college but can become an alternative income stream for the future.
If you’re a college student exploring ways to balance your finances, Nerdify offers personalized academic help that could be exactly what you need. Whether it’s finding the right study techniques or managing your time more effectively, Nerdify has helped many students achieve their academic goals. Before you decide, take a look at Nerdify reviews to see how other students have successfully used the platform to cope with their college challenges.
According to Nerdify experts, the most popular side jobs preferred by college students include the following:
- Freelance Writing Services
- Delivering Food and Other Goods
- Virtual Assistant Services
- Social Media Management
- Gardening Services
- Dog Walker Services
- Using your Car as Advertising Space
We will now describe these jobs in further detail.
1. Freelance Writing Services
Do you have a passion for writing and extensive knowledge on a variety of topics? If so, you can earn money as a student by becoming a freelance writer. This is one of the most common ways that students earn while studying in college. You can set up an account on Freelancer, Upwork or Fiverr and give it a try. It takes some time and patience but earnings will increase once you prove your worth. There are no startup costs. Study the most lucrative niches and write on those topics. You can expect to earn as much as $35 an hour on the average, but you can charge more by taking on extensive and detailed projects. You just need to have some knowledge of word processing software and know a little bit about SEO.
2. Delivering Food and Other Goods
If you want to earn money as a student, you can sign up with Doordash, UberEats and other food delivery companies and deliver food, groceries and other items to people and businesses on weekends or in your spare time. There are no startup costs and you can earn from $15 to $20 per hour working as an UberEats driver. You can even set up your own schedule so that it fits into your lifestyle. You just have to fill up a form and meet their requirements for delivery drivers.
3. Virtual Assistant Services
This is a good side hustle for those who have organizational and secretarial skills. You may be required to schedule meetings and track attendance, arrange travel plans for executives and respond to emails. The typical pay for this remote job is around $34 per hour. It allows you to work while still studying in college.
4. Social Media Management
The Nerdify Reviews experts suggest you can be a good social media manager for companies by promoting their brands if you are a naturally good communicator with a knack for drafting social media content. The job pays around $19 per hour. Becoming a social media manager requires a talent for writing, editing, using analytical tools like Social Sprout, communicating with graphic designers and marketing managers, staying on top of the news and responding to events and happenings in a timely manner.
5. Gardening Services
If you have a green thumb and a natural aptitude for gardening, you can offer to do some landscaping for neighbors or mow their lawns for a fee. Some people just don’t have the time, consider it boring or have health problems. You can earn from $40 to $50 per session. All you need is garden shears and a good lawn mower.
6. Dog Walker Services
If you like dogs and have the time to walk them, you can start a dog walking business in your spare time. Just advertise by posting bills in the neighborhood and word will get around. You can get paid as much as $160 per day if you can handle up to four dogs. It would not require more than an hour of work every day. All you need is to know how to handle pets properly.
7. Using your Car as Advertising Space
Using your car to advertise company brands may seem daunting at first. However there are brands that are willing to pay good money if you are willing to put their stickers or wraps on your car. You just have to drive around as you normally do, and companies might pay you from $100 to $500 per month for such advertising. You can check out sites like Carverstise or Wrapify to start off.
Wondering how to manage your academic responsibilities while working? Nerdify can provide the guidance you need. Nerdify’s team of experts has been assisting students for years, helping them find a balance between work and study. For more insights, check out Nerdify reviews and see how other students have benefited from using Nerdify to manage their busy college schedules.
In Conclusion
Financial challenges of college life often prompt students to explore new ways for earning extra income.
As highlighted by Nerdify experts, these seven side jobs not only help students cover the costs of tuition and living expenses but can also serve as alternative income streams for the future. The flexibility of these jobs allows students to work on their own schedules, making it easier to balance the demands of college life. Moreover, the earning opportunities mentioned above can be started with little or no investment at all. This makes them ideal for college students.
So, if you’re a college student looking to ease the burden of tuition costs or simply wanting to explore diverse sources of income, consider these side jobs as a way to enhance both your financial standing and college experience. All you have to do is decide on the type of work you want to do, and how much time you can spare for it on a regular basis.
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March 2, 2022
We all love shopping online, which is only natural as it takes away the burden of standing in front of the shop windows and gazing through the neon lights of the cold-starred mannequins. Seriously though, college students belong to the most popular target audience of online shoppers. According to Nerdify reviews, one of the reasons why online shopping is so popular among college learners is their strict schedule and endless run for discounts and special campaigns. Online shopping is awesome, yet it will get even better if you follow these 7 online shopping tips as you plan your next purchase:
1. Set Your Budget In Advance
We all know how challenging it may be to limit your spendings when you see that fancy dress online or would like to buy a new pair of headphones that just came out. It’s only natural to feel this way, yet it is vital to set your budget and even limit your daily or monthly spendings by logging in to your online banking system. This way you will always think twice and ask yourself whether you really need this something! According to our experts at Nerdify reviews, having a budget keeps you away from impulse purchases that you may regret at a later stage!
2. Make An Online Shopping Plan
It might sound like a minor trick but it always works wonders when you plan your online shopping time just the same way as you would plan a physical shopping day. When we do some shopping online, we try to come up with a list of good retailers and unusual shops that we have found to determine where we must go first and what alternatives are out there for those rare items that are not so popular. As a way to save your money, study the prices of the shops that you know well because it’s always safer to start with familiar sources.
3. Use Only Trustworthy Websites
Even though it has been repeated over and over again, always check the legit side of every website that you visit and make sure that they list guarantees and have retail registry information, refunds, and contact numbers that can be reached. Read online reviews and check for testimonials that go beyond the website itself. If something sounds too good to be true, it’s most likely so! It is better to be safe than sorry even if you have an awesome proposal right on the screen.
4. Read Online Shop Reviews
One of the best things you can do to stay safe as you shop online as a student is taking your time to read the reviews that may be available at places like TrustPilot or Sitejabber among others. Just add the word “review” to the shop’s name and see whether they provide accurate information. Do not just make a purchase until you collect enough information about the online store. See how accurate they are regarding returns, packaging, and many other factors like secure payment methods and retail licenses. Even if you shop on Amazon or eBay, read the seller testimonials first!
5. Seek Only Safe Payment Methods
Our team at Nerdify reviews has encountered it way too often when an online company would list all the popular payment methods in pictures but would not accept the major cards and require cash upon receipt or other odd requirements that went against common sense. The safest method would be using PayPal with their safe shopping option. If you’re in doubt, always check twice with your bank manager and do not run any financial transactions alone as it is unsafe to shop online without at least 256-bit SSL encryption and website certification.
6. Take Screenshots Before Checkout
Another little trick that our friendly team at Nerdify reviews uses is taking screenshots before the checkout to ensure that one doesn’t forget what they wanted to buy or what will require card payment in a bit. This way you can have proof that can be presented later if a computer crash occurs or the shop’s webpage malfunctions for some reason. It’s also a good way to keep your own history of the shopping activities that go beyond the browser history.
7. Seek Discounts For College Students
Even if you are sick of all the budget shops that offer discounts for students, you can also enter the brand’s name by adding “student” to your search inquiry and see what unique results you may get. At the same time, do not ignore social media and special campaigns that are not really advertised but still aimed at young people. Have some fun, participate, show your skills, and it will always pay off as you will get generous discounts or presents in most cases just because you have taken the time to join the campaign!