COVID-19 Resources

Working remotely does not come naturally to most professionals. Blending the lines between home and work has its perks and its challenges. Use Training Consultants' Home Office Checklist for those new to a work-from-home environment..

• Technology
  • High speed internet connection
    • A hard-wired ethernet connection ensures you have a reliable connection to online resources and tools.
    • If hard wiring is not an option, ensure your Wi-Fi connection is fast and uninterrupted. This may mean limiting the other devices that are connected to it.
  • Phone / Chat / Email
    • Remember that your coworkers and managerscan’t just stop by to check inor chat. Keepan open line of communicationand stay connected.
  • Updated Web Browser
    • Your company typically handles software updates without any action necessary on your part. Make sure you have the latest updates to your web browser to avoid any access or incompatibility issues.
  • Headset or Earbuds
    • Our home workspaces are not always as quiet or “remote” as you need to maintain focus. A good headset or pair of earbuds can help you tune out any distractions and focus on the task at hand.

• Study Environment
  • Dedicated Study Location/ Workspace
    • Many people think that working from home means taking your laptop from the kitchen table to the couch and back. While a change of environment can help boost your energy, having a dedicated workspace sets a clear boundary between your work life and your home life.
  • Comfortable Chair
    • After a few days of slouching over your laptop screen on the couch, you’ll be dreaming of the days when you were sitting in your comfy desk chair at the office. Invest in a good chair with well thought out ergonomics.
  • Good Source of Light
    • A well-lit workspace does wonders for your productivity. Better yet, setting up near a window to get natural light can give you a boost of energy.

• Study Supplies
  • Training Consultants Book
  • Notebook
  • Notecards
  • Highlighter
  • Pen/Pencil
  • Standard Calculator

Human beings are hard-wired to thrive with patterns and routine. Even though you’re cutting out your commute, you should still continue doing the normal things you did to prepare for a day at the office.

Get an adequate amount of sleep.

• Recommended 6-8 hours of sleep.

Continue your normal morning routine.

• Wake up at a regular time each day.
• Eat a healthy breakfast
• Shower and get dressed for the day as if you are going to work

• Walk around. Instead of driving/commuting to work, try getting your blood flowing by walking around the block or shooting some basketball hoops. If you can’t get outdoors, try doing some jumping jacks, push-ups, squats, or lunges.

First, this is an opportune time to study— know you are not missing out on birthday parties, dinners, etc. We all have to stay home, so we might as well study and get prepared to pass these exams to start your career. Here are some good tips to practice during this time:

Start the Day with a Goal

• Start by writing your goals for the day.
  • This can include your passing score goal or the chapters/sections you aim to complete.
  • Keep this in a visible place in your workstation.

Block out 2-hour Study Windows

Ideally, these blocks of time should be uninterrupted with as few distractions as possible. Be sure to have conversations with your family and housemates to let them know what your study windows are.

• No “Honey Do” List
  • Plan your day like a real work day. Block out time for chores outside of your working hours.
• No Phones, No Texting
  • Try leaving your phone in another room or across the room. Only check on it during your scheduled breaks.
• Kids at Home, they also have to know your window.
  • Get them set up with snacks and an activity.
  • Set the kids up with movies that last two hours.

Do NOT watch the news right before studying

We know this is a stressful time, and we want to make sure we have a clear head going into study time or taking an exam. It can be easy to overload ourselves with outside stressors, so try to keep the news intake to a minimum. This includes social media.

Goalsetting

Set goals for yourself each day and be specific in identifying how you will use your time. If need be, set goals for each hour and celebrate those mini wins as you accomplish them. Pay attention to when your brain is “going on vacation,” or when you start to think about future tasks or outside stressors. Refocus and concentrate on the task/step right in front of you. If you focus on each individual task or step toward your goal, you will see steady progress.

Study Environment

• Keep a clutter-free workspace
• Display your daily schedule in a visible place to stay on track
  • Set timers for yourself to keep your schedule goals
• Study in a well-lit area, ideally with natural lighting and an outside view.
• Background sounds, even relaxing music, can become a distraction when studying. Try using headphones or studying in silence.
• Scents play a role in our emotions and our memory. Try lighting a favorite candle as you study.
• Keep moving! Exercise influences our reasoning, improves alertness, and our motivation.

Distractions

Many of you have the benefit of studying at your own pace. Sometimes you will encounter challenges to staying on task and motivated. Some suggestions:

• Avoid that “Honey Do” List. Set aside some dedicated study time, away from distractions.
• No Phones, No Texting
  • Try leaving your phone in another room or across the room. Only check on it during your scheduled breaks.
• Kids should be aware of your study windows
  • Get them set up with snacks and an activity.
  • Set the kids up with movies that last two hours.
• Study at times of the day when your ability to focus is at its best.
  • For example, if your focus is stronger in the morning, start studying at 6am. By noon, you will have completed 6 hours of study.
• Set mini goals for yourself, and reward yourself after meeting your goals.
  • Your rewards can be simple, like getting up for a walk, drinking some tea, having a snack, playing fetch with the dog, etc. This can keep you motivated, get your blood flowing, and prepare you for the next session.
• Remember to study actively!
  • Take notes, create notecards, listen to lectures, and read the book. The more you actively participate in your learning, the better you will retain the information.

Every break should be a TRUE break, away from the material and any other work. Below are some ideas for you to use your break time to reset and refresh yourself.

Get something to drink (water, coffee, tea) or have a snack.

Walk around

• Try two laps around your couch before getting water

• Go to the farthest restroom from your study location

Get outside!

• Walk around the block
• Shoot hoops
• Jump Rope

Talk to your kids or call someone on the phone.

• Here’s your time to pick up that smartphone! Chatting with your loved ones can be a welcome break from the mentally-draining content you’ve been studying.

Download Sample Study Day

• Take breaks from the news, including social media
• Take care of your body. Remember to take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
• Remember that this is temporary.