Tips for Studying at Home During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our courses at the university are now ongoing in the process of being reorganized into e-learning. I think it is important to stay patient and being understanding in this situation as our teachers have to make substantial changes to their form of teaching under such short notice.
The emergency situation is set to last until the 1st of May. So at least until then, we students have to make some changes to our ways of studying. Since my commute times to the university and back take about 30 minutes, I’ve taken up the habit of staying and studying at the university during the days we have lectures and seminars, for example at the library or student house. Now, due to the pandemic, that is not possible for at least over a month. On the other hand, this is an opportunity to more freely create and hone habits.
No one can forecast the full range of impacts of this pandemic, but the impacts will likely be long-lasting. We are witnessing history in the making. Governments, healthcare, and essential service and supply chains are all doing their part to contain the spread of COVID-19 and save the health and lives of people. But it is also up to others to show compassion, solidarity, and calmness to effectively handle this situation together. Below I have some tips that you might find useful when adapting to “containment”.
Stand More, Sit Less
Since we are all staying mostly at home now and move around less, just standing up while studying is an effective way to stay active. And at the end of the day, you will naturally feel more tired and should sleep better when you go to bed in the evening since you have been less engaged in sedentary behavior during the day.
Take Breaks Away From The Screen
The advantage of studying at home is that it is easier to take breaks doing other kinds of activities you like. I alternate between reading non-course books, painting miniatures and practicing fencing with a longsword.
Stay In Touch But…
Remember to keep your family, friends, classmates, and teachers up to date with your current situation. Being isolated for long periods of time can cause anxiety, so it is important to not dwell alone on your thoughts.
…Limit Screen Time and Information Flow
Since we are now spending the majority of the day e-learning with no regular lectures and seminars, you may unnoticeably spend quite a bit of time behind a screen during the day. So remember to wind down and unplug in the evening. It is also good to stay informed about the pandemic, but remember that there is a lot of misinformation out there.
Dealing with the pandemic can be bewildering and overwhelming at times. But do keep in mind that we are all in this together. Stay safe and look forward to the upcoming summer!
