As we look forward to a new academic year in September, many universities are making plans to deliver some of their course content online. Previously, I was extremely concerned about coping with studying my master's degree in this way. Upon reflection, I realise that my third-year experience has offered some valuable insights into how to cope with this, and I realise I am more equipped to adapt than I previously thought. In this post, I hope to offer some advice and words of wisdom concerning completing a degree during uncertain times, particularly in the age of social distancing.
Working from home
As someone who enjoys the social side of university and working alongside friends in libraries and cafes, the implementation of social distancing substantially affected my routines. I had to adapt to working from home, something that I was able to do previously but wasn't used to doing 100% of the time. If you are worried about managing time working from home, here are some things that worked for me:
1. Set up a good workspace - I appreciate that not everyone has an office or somewhere to work already, but setting up somewhere to work really helped. I wrote most of my final assignments at the kitchen table, which became my 'office'. At the start of each day, I made sure I had everything I needed to work set up and ready to go, opened the window to get some fresh air and ensured I had a glass of water ready. Hydration helps!
2. Organising your time - On days spent inside working, I felt that I had little structure. To combat this, I set about organising my time by task. I prioritised the most critical and broke larger tasks into smaller tasks. I ensured that I stopped working at the same time each day to not overstretch myself and to ensure work felt manageable. Furthermore, I was sure to always factor in some time where I had zero plans where I could do whatever I felt I wanted to do - whether that was watching tv or doing some extra work that I was enjoying. However you organise your time, make sure you have time for yourself and time away from work.
3. Support - Don't be afraid to ask for help and support! As I mentioned, I enjoy working with others, so occasionally I set up a zoom call to work with friends. No chatting, just working and running through ideas with each other as we would have done pre-lockdown. This may not be for everyone, but it really helped me. Finally, email your lecturers and tutors when needs be - they're there to help you out when they can!
Looking after yourself
With everything going on, it can be difficult to unwind and take time for yourself. Please do this! I enjoy taking some time to read something completely different to my area of study, watching an episode of a favourite TV show or zoning out and playing a video game. Whatever works for you, make sure to do it! Exercise significantly helped me become more motivated, even on days when I did not feel like doing anything. I found yoga to be super helpful to centre myself and give myself time to focus on me. JustDance workouts also help release endorphins and definitely put a smile on my face. Trying something new can help keep things fresh!
Networking
We are so lucky to have the internet and the technology that we have today to help during uncertain times. If you are unsure about your next steps, use the internet to connect with others. There are Facebook groups for graduates, undergraduates, specific universities and areas of interest that you can join to ask advice. LinkedIn is a great tool for networking with like-minded individuals if you are looking to get involved in a specific industry or looking for inspiration. Taking some time to talk to others who were in a similar position really helped. This is advice I'd give to anyone in the future, regardless of the status of the pandemic.
You do you
You can only do so much. Everyone has their own limits. At the start of lockdown, I found that I was constantly comparing myself to others, and in doing so I was feeling really down. It's easier said than done, but I really had to change my mindset. I now try to acknowledge what works for someone else may not work for me and that I am doing the best I can do. It's completely fine to have down days or days where you don't feel up to a challenge. You know yourself better than anyone, do what works for you!
Wishing you all the luck in the world,
Luce x
