How it All Started for Me
Hello everyone! I’m Saida, the marketing and communications intern at Roots Interns. As you would imagine, my remote internship is going exceptionally well. And I can truly see why internships are so important.
If you’ve never done a remote internship before, don’t worry! Let me catch you up… Due to the Pandemic, I had to leave South Africa much earlier and continue my internship from my home in Germany, working remotely. Prior to this, I had never really worked from home. However, I have relied on a few handy tricks to make this remote setup work. If you’ve been in the same position as me or just curious, then here are some of my remote internship tips for success.
My Best Tips For Internship Success
Tip 1: Wake Up Early
So, this is the first on our list of tips for internship success, and for good reason. It has been a real game-changer in my life. Waking up as early as you would when going to the office adds a sense of normality and routine. Personally, I begin my day with coffee; although this routine may not suit everyone, I rely on caffeine as a productivity enhancer. I enjoy the satisfaction of completing a substantial amount of work before lunch. This leaves me with ample time in the afternoon to plan for the next workday and unwind in the evening without feeling stressed or dwelling on unfinished tasks.
Tip 2: Use Video Calls and Email
When it comes to this topic, I’ll share with you some remote internship tips that have truly helped me. Using this approach gives me a sense of “working alongside my colleagues,” even though we are almost 10,000 km apart. This sense of belonging is one of the reasons why I joined Roots as an intern. So what I’m trying to get to is becoming more appreciative of digitalization. Regular check-ins with my supervisors are essential for ensuring I complete my work effectively. We hold virtual meetings every Monday morning and sometimes another time during the week to align, update each other on progress, discuss new tasks, and ensure we’re on the same page by the call’s end. These meetings maintain motivation, promote agreement, prevent misunderstandings, and establish mutual goals.
Tip 3: Create To-do-lists and Deadlines
To get myself motivated, I rely on lists, sometimes even two. Choosing to do any remote internship means that you need to commit to planning your time thoughtfully. I jot down my daily tasks using pen and paper because there’s something immensely satisfying about crossing items off a physical list. I also maintain another list on my laptop for future objectives. This digital list allows for flexibility as priorities shift and new tasks emerge regularly. Here, I incorporate deadlines. Some of them are set by supervisors and others self-imposed to boost productivity and combat procrastination.
Tip 4: Save the Best for Last
Take note of this one! This is one of my best tips for internship success. Imagine my supervisor assigning you two tasks for the day. One of them is to edit a website and the second is to write an article about environmentally-friendly internships. Naturally, the second task is more enjoyable (at least for me). In the past, I would have jumped into writing the article immediately. However, I’ve learned to avoid procrastination by tackling my least favorite task first, completing it, and saving my favorite task for later. Starting with the task I’m less excited about feels like a small victory, making the more appealing task a rewarding finish. If you want to get a better idea of the type of work you’d do, browse through these 10 best remote internships in Africa to find out.
Tip 5: Take Break and Fresh Air
Staying focused involves stashing my phone and closing non-work tabs on my laptop. Yet, rewarding myself with breaks is crucial. When concentration wanes, I heed my brain’s call for a brief pause. During short breaks, I stretch, snack, or enjoy coffee on my balcony (luckily, quarantine isn’t too bad here). For longer breaks, I head to the nearby park for a walk or run. Fresh air truly enhances concentration and relaxation — it’s not a myth. Exercise, like running and home workouts, reduces stress and contributes to a more successful home office setup.
Tip 6: Enjoy Music as Much as Possible
Here comes a very special tip from me that will serve everyone, especially those looking for remote internship tips. Some people work best when it’s totally quiet, others like office or coffee shop noise around them. Finding and choosing a remote internship that suits your lifestyle and interests the most is so important. I’ve come to realise that my brain works well with music most of the time, and I’ve heard from many people about using classical music when it comes to having to concentrate either for their studies or work. This includes myself.
Tip 7: Reward Myself Often
To keep myself in a good mental space, I reward myself. For example, I make myself a big fresh juice after having finished that social media post or I call a friend that I am not allowed to hang out with after having published a blog post. When I feel that I am very productive in the morning, I take some time to cook a big, healthy lunch that makes me happy. Sticking to these “rules” is easy and very rewarding. In these weird times of my (or everyone’s) life, it’s a blessing to be healthy, productive and to have something to focus on and put energy into. I can only recommend starting a remote internship to make this isolated time somehow meaningful.
Final Take-home Remote Internship Tips
In conclusion, these tips for a successful internship can have a profound impact on personal growth and well-being. By implementing strategies such as taking breaks, enjoying fresh air, listening to music, and rewarding oneself, individuals can create a productive and rewarding work environment even in isolation.
The ability to focus, stay motivated, and find joy in accomplishments can contribute to a sense of purpose and fulfillment during these challenging times.
