Do you feel the same way too? Then you are definitely not alone. We have asked three students from Aarhus University about how they structure their study day within the four walls of their home. Maybe you can be inspired or just read that you are not the only one struggling to focus when the television is within a meter distance.
By Liv Throen Longhi
Philip Vejby Aalund Kristensen is studying Law at Aarhus University. He sat with his grandmother in front of the TV with a cookie in his hand and watched the All England Tournament when Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen appeared on television a week ago and shut down Denmark. One moment Philip was living in happy ignorance of the lockdown, the next he was sitting feverishly trying to find out if he was going to his tax law lecture at. 8 the next morning. He and thousands of other students will not go for the next several days. How do you organize your new everyday life as a student? In this article, three students share how they study during lockdown.
How do you structure studying during lockdown?
Philip Vejby Aalund Kristensen, Jura 8th sem: “As far as possible, I try to organize the study work as a regular working day. I start between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. and say thank you for today around 16 a.m. The lunch break is usually a little longer than half an hour, but fortunately it is also paid when you are at SU.”
Andreas Skøien Bjerring, Sports Science 2nd sem: “I do not want to say that I structure the day in relation to studying. I read most when the desire is there because time is no problem at the moment. I only study in the subject that we will be graduating in in two weeks. In addition, we have many practical subjects in Sports Science, which are difficult to make self-study in, for example, dance and athletics.”
Tobias Tetsche Olesen, Business Economics 6th sem: “I continue to work from home and follow the online education that is being started. In addition, I have to restructure my bachelor because the case-company is closed and I also cannot interview people face to face.”
Online education is not optimal and it is a little harder to stay focused at home when you are sitting alone.
Tobias Tetsche Olesen
What is challenging about being a student during lockdown?
Andreas: “The lack of sparring with teachers and fellow students is a challenge. Personally, I like to talk about the theory as it helps with the understanding. In addition, I am used to doing all sorts of other things at home, opposite the campus, where you are in a sphere where it is all about studying. It requires a little mental restructuring.”
Tobias: “Online education is not optimal and it is a little harder to stay focused at home when you are sitting alone.”
What is positive about being a student during lockdown?
Philip: “The feeling of freedom. Although it is a pure illusion.”
Tobias: “That you can sit at home and work. Although it is difficult to stay focused.”
What would you do right now if universities had not been under lockdown?
Philip: “I would be lying if I wrote that I had been sitting in the reading room from 8 am to 4 pm. Apart from the teaching, my program does not look much different. The law study is already a form of self-elected home quarantine, but we just call it “studying” instead.”
Andreas: “I should have prepared for my exam, which I do anyway.”
Do you have any tips for other students in the future?
Andreas: “Move the study away from your own room (unless you feel sick, always follow the authorities’ guidelines) eg. kitchen, parent’s house, basement, outside (if the weather is good). Reach out to educators, fellow students and acquaintances.”
Philip: “Keep your distance and stay home if you’re sick!”