by Angelo Galluzzo, 2nd year BA English Language student
Whether your plans for 2020 included a backpacking trip to Bali during Easter break or taking on pole dancing classes, you have now been faced with the reality of Miss Rona, sometimes called Covid-19 and you’re probably stuck at home trying any sport that can be done on a carpet.
Jokes aside, if you are a university student, this situation, together with the deadlines staring at you from not so much of a distance, might be a lot to take in (I mean, people are also starving, so chill out a bit). Since I am an expert in pulling myself together (*cough cough*), I thought I’d help you with 5 easy tips to get through these difficult times:
- You don’t have to be always productive
Every day, you might look at posts on Instagram of people confidently telling the world that they should be even more productive during this time at home. Let me tell you, that’s capitalist lies!
However privileged we might be, we are not on holiday and these are mentally stressful times! You shouldn’t feel like you owe anyone anything, and everything you do must be because you think it’s the right thing and not because of the pressure. If you don’t feel like doing much because you’re overwhelmed than relax and unfollow toxic influencers on social media.
- Create a sort of routine
I’m not talking 9 to 5 or anything like that, if you like having a sleep in, then take the chance but make sure you usually have something to look forward to and know that you are still busy.
Ideally, you would think of specific times and plan a schedule. However, if you’re more like me, and you think of time as something more of a guideline than a fixed entity, then you could also plan the activities and encourage yourself to do them before the end of the day (yes, this does include uni work).
- Just start writing
When it comes to writing assignments and studying in general, everyone’s style is different.
One thing that many have in common is the difficulty in concentrating at home where the snacks are way too near and also free! In such a situation, most of us would go to the library and ask the librarian to kindly lock us in a study room so that we can write something down.
Since that’s not an option now, what I find quite useful is bearing in mind that I can review my work and that what I write can be corrected or changed. So, just start writing! Remember that idea you had for the analysis? Put it down. And that theory you wanted to include? Summarise it now.
It doesn’t have to be perfect and it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but for you at the moment, so just do it. (do check if it makes sense before submitting though).
- Set up goals for breaks
You know when you train a dog to do stuff and then you reward them with a treat? That’s the concept.
Home is an easy distraction, even when you’re entirely alone. When you start studying, think of taking a break but also think of goals to reach before the break. A good one would always be a word count that you want to reach or it could also be totally personalised.
It takes a lot of self-discipline in order to stick to something you imposed on yourself and it’s fine to feel frustrated or tired sometimes. Don’t be too hard on yourself! You wouldn’t exasperate the dog, why would you do it to yourself?
P.s: I prefer cats but the example wouldn’t have worked because they would just scratch your hand and throw something on the floor (and if you feel like doing that too, you should go for it!).
- You do you
Always bear in mind that whatever suggestion, whatever guidance you might be given (yes, this article included *sigh*), you know yourself the best. Take everything critically and don’t be afraid to change and adapt any method to your own so you can be productive in your terms.
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