“Studying in the time of Covid” — An undergraduate perspective
As we approach the fifth month of the lockdown — awaiting the news of a Covid-19 vaccine — we sit contemplating what the future holds. Starring in our very own apocalypse movie! I don’t know about you, but when I imagined myself surviving an apocalypse, I pictured myself with guns strapped to my legs like Lara Croft, carrying a baseball bat studded with nails bent at all angles, a badass outfit styled with kitchen gloves, and perhaps staying in a makeshift basecamp dedicated to keeping the survivors alive.
But alas, we sit in our rooms, wearing the same sweat pants from the day before, eating instant ramen, binging Netflix shows that have already been seen (about tigers, murderers and cults?) and Facetiming, Zooming or Whatsapp-calling (not sponsored) our loved ones scattered around the world. Not really the “Shaun of the Dead” adventure I was hoping for but nevertheless, I’m glad we are not dealing with THAT kind of pandemic.
As we enter level 3 with the economy slowly opening up, I look back at the journey that it’s been: it hasn’t been all that bad or all that good. To my surprise however, it went by a lot faster than I was expecting. Some days seemed to have dragged (lockdown day 4 still haunts me as the longest day of my life) and others seemed to have merged between other days that went by super quickly with not much happening in them. In saying that, I have split my lockdown into 5 phases to summarise the “adventure” that it’s been.
Phases of Lockdown:
Phase 1: “This is fine. Everything is fine.”
This is the initial phase of lockdown where you’re a little unsure of everything going on around you and it seems that the world is falling apart. You’re agitated and anxious with being in the house and your tea and alcohol stocks are looking grim. People are rampaging the stores and all you wanted was a can of tomatoes.
Phase 2: “New Quarantine, New me”
This is the phase where you look at the lockdown challenges arising; “Lose 21kg in 21 days” diets, “Lockdown abs” workout regimes, “Quarantine and Read” on Pinterest — you’re stuck thinking to yourself this is time wasted if you don’t engage. So you see yourself pulling out your yoga mat at 10pm because even though you had the whole day you only got around to it at that time. Let’s face it though — this was a fleeting phase, because people don’t change, even under quarantine.
Also, give yourself a break, these aren’t the times most conducive for productivity.
Phase 3: “I’m never going to have this much free time again!”
This is an extension of phase 2, where you start making efforts towards your future: looking at online courses, certificates (free of course) and looking for alternate forms of income during this time.
Tutoring has never been easier! Putting a collared shirt over your pajamas in the comfort of your home, sipping tea — and at least it’s something to do! Don’t forget making banana bread, Dalgano coffee and sharing all your meals on Instagram because that’s the highlight of your day these days.
Phase 4: “This is who I am now”
“This isn’t even my final form!”
The phase where you just give into the lockdown. Your sleeping schedule is either in shambles or non-existent, all your challenges stopped being entertaining days ago, you’re constantly looking for the next snack (alternating between sweet and salty), changing out of your sleep-clothes is not worth it, even watching TV or scrolling through social media isn’t keeping you occupied.
And you’re napping. A LOT.
Phase 5: ???????????????
(STIR CRAZY)
***Disclaimer: Although we have moved past level 5, where these phases were most applicable, I still see myself falling into each of these categories from time-to-time. Sometimes multiple in a day — but that’s news for a different time.
Amidst all of this, Universities all over the world have been implementing online-learning for students to ensure the academic year proceeds as planned.
As a student myself I can’t help feeling overwhelmed by this — how will online learning affect my performance and the validity of my degree? Will I manage? How are online tests going to work?
I know I’m not the only undergraduate feeling this way. It’s a learning curve for everyone, including the universities who are trying their best to ensure that the quality of education remains, as well as the fairness of the education to all students.
I will say, despite worrying about how education is going to go, there is obviously a missing piece with all of this: contact. Without contact lessons its trickier to build relationships with your professors and difficult to fully engage with the content. It’s especially difficult if you have a hands-on degree which requires hours in labs and out in the field. So far, online lectures have comprised of lecturers logging in a half-hour before the time making small talk with the early birds, a lot of pre-lecture preparation and readings. A LOT of readings. Practicals are strange as they now lack the practical component, and mainly consist of, yep, you guessed it, more readings. But I shouldn’t complain, I’m still en route to getting my degree, even with the world up in flames.
Let’s not forget another important factor: peer-support and being in an academically-focused environment like lecture halls or the library — the process of separating the comfort of your home to a work/schooling environment is an adjustment that many people across the world are having to adapt to. We’re going to miss group study sessions in the library, approaching lecturers for a chat, grabbing a super-overpriced coffee at 7am (although with Seattle Coffee open again, I think I’ll be getting this bad habit back into my daily routine shortly), having mental breakdowns on sunny days under campus trees (now they’re just under blankies in the dark) and honestly, being around people. It’s amazing how much it affects your motivation and ability to study, even as an introvert.
Obviously, everyone is different and at-home-learning might be very favourable to some individuals. But for me, I’d prefer to sit in lectures all day, take notes, ask questions, mess around, regret not reading that article Prof asked us to (and feel stressed seeing others who have read it) and, probably the most, seeing my friends.
At the end of the day, this is just something we all have to endure, and I’m thankful that I still get to continue with my studies — regardless of how it’s being done. I would like to extend this to all — studying and not studying, undergrad, postgrad, post-postgrad — “This too shall pass” and we’ll be okay. Get through it in your own way, take it easy on yourself. The world is changing, and hopefully for the better! Stay safe and sane out there, take it a day at a time.
“It is not the strength of the body, but the strength of the spirit.” — J.R.R. Tolkien
