It has been another whirlwind of ups and downs these past few weeks. Despite this, I still feel blessed to be able to connect with you and share what has come up for me. This month’s favourite tool is simple but can potentially be game changing for you. Now let’s dive in!
What I’ve Been Up To
Summer Internship
I concluded my 10-week internship in the first week of August. Although it wasn’t what I had expected, I am still very grateful to be able to be given the opportunity to co-create and solve a business problem in terms of digitalising factory processes.
My role as a digital intern showed me how difficult it can be to move manual processes online, such as onto a smart factory platform. I also got a chance to hone my (online) interpersonal and project management skills. I am now more aware of how dynamic the operations industry can be as well as how to leverage on our strengths to tackle pertinent issues.
A New Environment
I moved to a new location and boy was it chaotic. On one hand, I was excited to live in a new place. On the other hand, I was dreading the whole moving process. Before I could take a breather, the next school term had begun.
To be honest, there were many times I felt overwhelmed because of many things happening at the same time. What didn’t work was encouraging these thoughts and choosing to be stuck in fatigue throughout the first half of the month.
Nevertheless, I was happy that I got to ‘build’ and decorate my new bedroom (in terms of its colour scheme and furniture). Despite the challenges I faced, they were all worth it once I had settled down and worked on my overwhelming thoughts.
If you are planning to move or are moving soon, remember that the most important thing is to have patience and be kind to yourself and others. This is because I felt frustrated over certain hiccups, so much so that I was tempted to shout and vent my anger. Remember why you wanted to move, and if you are moving together with others, always know that you and them want the same thing – to move successfully and start a new way of life with as much joy as possible.
What I Learnt From Losing My Momentum
When I looked back, I realised it wasn’t that I didn’t have enough time. It was because I was not focused on the things that matter. Even though decluttering and packing can be physically draining, if I had planned and accounted for these, I would’ve still managed not to lose my momentum.
Furthermore, I neglected my piano for 3 weeks and that affected my productivity. I had forgotten to fill my cup first. To serve myself first means that I can then serve others with flow and energy. Most of the time, I wasn’t listening to my body. Instead, I was listening to the ‘Achiever’ within me who was constantly focusing on producing productive results.
If you are in a similar situation, the first thing to do is acknowledge this overwhelming feeling you are having. Do not take action on it or make decisions based on what your brain is telling you in that moment. Be still and tell yourself that it is okay.
You are loved.
You are worthy.
You are safe.
– A reminder to yourself
After saying these words to myself, my brain calmed down a little. The overwhelming feeling slowly disappeared and I let it go. It eventually left and I took action based on clarity.
Online Classes
A new school term has officially started and most of my classes have moved online. Although I miss the face-to-face interactions with my professor and classmates, there are still perks that come with virtual lessons.
Pre-Recorded Lecture Videos
If you take classes with pre-recorded lecture videos, it can be very tempting to not watch and skip them entirely. Ensure you schedule a set time every week to watch them, almost as if it is an actual class time.
Don’t forget to make full use of the flexibility it offers you. For instance, feel free to adjust the speed accordingly during certain sections so you optimise your time learning. Lastly, remember to actively take notes so you don’t zone out and end up needing to rewind the video multiple times.
Live Virtual Classes
Most of my classes are in synchronous mode, which means the lesson is conducted live. Apart from following do’s and don’t’s similar to a physical lesson, I’ve discovered a few additional tips you can implement.
If your professor allows you to switch on your video, I highly recommend for you to do so. It not only helps the professor and your classmates remember you, but also motivates you to concentrate and focus in class. Besides, no one is really looking at your background as much as you are.
If your professor prefers everyone to switch off their video, take advantage of it. Use a clear profile picture (it’s a bonus if it looks almost as if you are standing in front of them). Stand up and stretch every 20 minutes or so and check in with yourself whether you are actively listening or getting distracted. Don’t be afraid to unmute yourself or type any questions you have in the chat. These strategies have helped me to continue learning with minimal compromise.
August Favourite Tool
Distraction Journal
I swear by having a pen and paper by my side whenever I want to be 100% focused on a task. Whenever I have thoughts which are irrelevant to the task at-hand, I immediately jot them down onto the paper and delegate it to Future Me who has completed that task or time block. Examples of these thoughts include checking my email, replying to a message, or even wanting to google a random question that popped up in my head.
If you usually have many thoughts fighting for your attention, try having a distraction journal. Write your distracting thoughts down before getting back to doing the task. It can also come in handy during online classes, when you tend to lose focus rather easily. It made such a huge difference for me in avoiding getting sidetracked.
What I’m Working On In September 2020
Since the new school term has begun, I want to concentrate on my studies. I am also involved in various clubs and took on a side project. Blogging is still a non-negotiable for me so I will carve out time for sharing my knowledge and experiences with you.
Overall, 2020 summer has been a unique one for me. If I hadn’t gone through these experiences, I honestly don’t think I would’ve learnt this much about myself. Being in quarantine taught me to be grateful and also excited when measures are (slowly) easing. Working from home has not only taught me to be independent, but also to think creatively, such as how to make things fun for myself.
If you want more school tips, check out my blog post on 5 Don’t’s To Start Your Semester Off Right. Share this with a friend who is also starting their school term. Tell me, what’s your biggest takeaway from this summer?
Set yourself up for success as you embark on your new school term with my journal prompts. You can still do the prompts even if your term has already begun. May your term be filled with lovely memories!
