Staying sane amidst the Zoom classes, Quercus notifications, and endless emails
I woke up this morning to 40 unread emails, 16 Facebook alerts, and too many messages to count. Before eating breakfast, I was already tired and ready for the day to end.
I’ve struggled with information overload in the past. It’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed by the excessive amount of information we receive on a daily basis. Coupled with keeping on top of pandemic-related news and adapting to a now completely virtual law school experience, these past few weeks have been especially difficult.
This is not really the Faculty’s fault. The information we receive from the school is important and needs to be distributed accordingly. They also seem to be trying to limit the number of emails sent out. For example, the weekly Headnotes and daily Events Calendar newsletters, which summarize daily announcements and upcoming events, are good ways to keep students informed without flooding their inbox.
Still, the daily barrage of information can leave many, including myself, feeling paralyzed. I wish I could say the solution to this stress is as easy as unsubscribing from a few email threads and turning notifications off for Facebook groups. Unfortunately, doing so would probably result in missing valuable information.
There is hope, however. In our current day, the problem is so prevalent that Googling “information overload” pulls up several documented coping mechanisms. My personal favourite is the “2-minute rule”; if a task takes two minutes or less to complete, like replying to an email, just get it done immediately. This can prevent creating a daunting inbox. I also like the idea of setting dedicated time aside each day to read over all my emails or go through all the posts in one of the various student Facebook groups.
To help me keep track of things, I’ve been using Google Calendar. There, I schedule all my classes, club commitments, and other events (with their accompanying Zoom links) as I’m made aware of them. I adopted this system after nearly missing a career development event and it’s been effective so far. I’d recommend at least trying to have all those important times and links in one place for easy review.
Beyond tools and techniques, there are strategies to modify your thinking and behaviour so that you’re better equipped to handle vast amounts of information. The Faculty’s Student Mental Health & Wellness Program Manager, Terry Gardiner, is an advocate of mindfulness. This is the practice of being presently aware of your body, mind, and feelings. Gardiner and mindfulness practitioner Elli Weisbaum lead a weekly practice on Mondays for all interested U of T law students.
Ultimately, how you manage information overload depends on your personal circumstances. While some may benefit from checking their inbox once per day, others may find that a full inbox makes them feel anxious. What is important is figuring out what works best for you.
On a final note, I’d like to remind you to be kind to yourself. We’re all adjusting to this increasingly virtual world and navigating it in our own ways. Try different approaches, take breaks when you can, and know that support is available from both the Faculty and your peers. Overcoming information overload is hard but possible.
