A Survival Guide To Studying At Home

Welcome to 2020 – the year we are witnessing and living through a modern pandemic! Truly not something I was anticipating as I celebrated New Year’s Eve on the last night of 2019. There’s no doubt it can be a very daunting, if not debilitating prospect of adjusting your life during this crisis and the era of self-isolation.

Personally I’m concerned about students like me who are now struggling to focus on their studies that used to be far more interesting just a few months ago when we had the freedom to choose our study location, like a university library. Studying from home and being cut off from the wider world does have its challenges and that’s why the need to set goals right now is more crucial than ever. Here are my tips for a survival guide to studying at home:

1. Write down the due dates for your assignments and examination dates.

By that I mean to really ‘write’ it down, not just marking it on your calendar. It increases the cognitive function of your brain and makes you worry less than you need to for any challenging tasks. It simply liberates your mind from over-working with puzzling thoughts while setting specific goals towards your chores.

2. Reward yourself for any small tasks you achieve.

Love chocolate? Put it on your next grocery shopping list! Like reading novels? Take a book from your bookshelf that you’ve been wanting to read for ages!

If you’ve achieved good marks in your online assessments don’t forget to treat yourself by taking a tiny break from your studies. This will keep you motivated for accomplishing your assessments and will work as a positive feedback loop in your mind.

I baked this chocolate cake - it tasted as awesome as it looks!

3. Take advantage of being able to set your own timetable

Now that you’ve got the time to actually set your own agenda don’t take it for granted. Think about what time of day you work at your best and can focus most with optimal efficiency. Are you a night owl who loves studying in the quietest of times or an early bird who loves to start everything fresh? It’s high time to discover how our body, mind and soul are intertwined with each other and what strategies make you most effective at any task. Don’t let this opportunity go and listen to yourself – this will surely prepare you to be at your best in the years ahead.

4. Stay connected with family and friends

Now that technology allows us to make virtual connections stronger than ever, it’s essential to talk to your family and friends as much as you can and let them know how much you have missed them. This is not only uplifting, but keeps you connected with those that matter most in your life as human interaction is just as crucial as self-isolation right now. The more connected you are with those you love, the more serotonin and oxytocin released from your brain. The happier you are, the more focused you will be on what you need to achieve.

Cherish the time you have with family and friends

5Feel grateful that you are on the Gold Coast and make time to get closer to nature

We are lucky to be residing on the Gold Coast, a place filled with beautiful walking spots like the Nerang State Forest, Labrador Beach and the Coombabah Lake Conservation Park. Start your day with a refreshing mind – walk with a friend or your pet. This will create a positive mindset, which according to psychologists will boost your energy, make you more alert, provide a sense of well-being and show more friendliness towards people – just what you need to successfully engage in effective and enjoyable study!

Take a walk and enjoy the scenery.

* Nayma Tarik is studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Griffith University.