Coping with COVID-19

The global pandemic outbreak (the novel corona virus also known as COVID-19 came as a huge shock to the world and has disrupted many of our activities. As University of London students, we are faced with numerous challenges regarding time management and getting necessary things done, in order to stay on track.

The lockdown experienced in different countries has given us all a sense of having more time on our hands, and as students, we could get caught in the trap of neglecting our study, coursework and assignments as a result of this. So below are some tips for coping with the current situation which I find useful, and which some other students have shared with me.

Having a clear schedule: To effectively get our coursework and studies done on time, it can be useful to establish daily schedules, and incorporate reminders to reduce distractions. This could involve target setting or regularly checking your progress.

Keeping to your schedule: Setting a schedule will be ineffective if you are unable to stick to it!. A more practical approach would be undertaking daily checks on how productive you have been, and what progress you have made, to provide some encouragement when targets are met and for increased motivation when the reverse occurs.

Communication with loved ones: We can all use some extra motivation, especially in these difficult moments, with information overload. Therefore, constant communication with loved ones can help lift our spirits and keep our minds fuelled with the drive to achieve and surpass our targets.

Setting targets with friends and other students: The power of peer study cannot be overemphasised. Many students have indicated that collaborating with their peers has served as one of the major driving forces for achieving targets and study success. It might be useful to identify a study partner, set out plans and work on encouraging each other to make the most of this practice.  Peer study, and getting a partner to check your work can also help with insight, because sometimes clarity can be obtained from classmates and this fosters greater understanding of learning materials.

Taking regular breaks: Incorporating working from home (and studying) can get monotonous and sometimes seems tiring. To get the best from studies, periodic breaks are necessary to help provide some form of brain rest. This is because, with adequate periodic rests, productivity can be greatly enhanced as your workload is kept in check.

I hope you will find the above both interesting and practical in staying productive despite the current trying times. As we incorporate the above, it is important to stay positive, maintain hygienic standards suggested by medical professionals and stay safe as much as possible.

Edidiong is studying the MSc in Professional Accountancy in Nigeria.