Why this is not a good strategy in the corona crisis

Honestly, between you and me, nobody likes to read about the pandemic and the resulting crisis, do they?? For weeks and months, the media reports have been full of case numbers, reproductive values, things you are no longer allowed to do, and relaxations of what is then allowed again. Some people would like to pull the covers over their heads, stay in bed and wait until the crisis is over. Simply sleep through the crisis and retreat into the cozy cave until the ice has melted and the spring sun beckons again. Or in other words: until everything is back to the way it was, in familiar, pleasant ways.

If this thought tempts you, I have good news and bad news for you. The good: sufficient sleep is healthy. The bad: Diving into hibernation is a bad strategy, because you lose valuable time in your studies and also miss important opportunities. Therefore, here are three tips for you on how to get through your studies despite Corona.

Get out of crisis mode

The pandemic has really shaken up everyday student life from an organizational and social point of view: lectures and other face-to-face events are increasingly taking place in the digital rather than the familiar analog space. Research projects change. The longed-for internship has been postponed or cancelled altogether. The student job is history, the start in the occupation uncertainly. Where students used to crowd the campus, it is much emptier. Instead, signs and plaques are now everywhere reminding people to wear mouth-nose protection and observe hygiene measures. If it were not reality, you would think it was a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster. But of course it is not, it is currently our “new normality” of which nobody knows how long it will last. Those who accept reality and act sensibly on this basis are better off in everyday life. Instead of complaining and waiting for things to get better, it’s time to act. And if this “new normality” frightens you, then think about what exactly you are afraid of and where you can do something concrete. Butdon’t keep focusing on fear, because fears have adynamic that carry us into the future in terms of our mindfulness. Make sure to be in the here and now. Get active, get going and don’t always look at the news ticker.

Focus yourself with good planning

Good planning is currently the be-all and end-all for you, especially when many compulsory local events are omitted, which may have previously given you an important framework for your daily routine. The responsibility for your daily routine and thus for the week, the month and the current semester lies with you and requires structure. Now is definitely not a good time for “procrastination,” so try the strategy of active planning and implementation instead. Think about what you want to accomplish this semester. To do this, imagine that the semester is over and you look back so really satisfied and happy. What would you have achieved in this semester? With which topics would you have had possibly doubts at the beginning and these nevertheless succeeded? Visualize your goals for this semester as concretely as possible and make them as attractive as possible for you, because attractive goals have traction. If you then have your goals in mind, think about which steps, which stages are necessary to achieve them. Especially big, ambitious goals lose their terror if you break them down into smaller intermediate goals. Maybe you know the saying: “How do you eat an elephant?? Steak by steak.”You will quickly notice that it is much easier to plan for intermediate goals than for one big goal. Then create a concrete weekly plan. What would you like to have achieved at the end of the next week?? From when do you start in the morning? And please do not be overambitious, but realistic. Plan for delays, for example, because certainbooks and online documents may not be immediately available to you. And allow yourself enough breaks in which you recharge your energy reserves. Be sure to include things you enjoy in your weekly schedule. This increases the motivation to implement the plan. And try also once different time management strategies out, for example the Pomodoro technology. With this one you set yourself a timer for 25 minutes. In this time you work concentrated at a stretch without distractions. No social media, no e-mails, no online news. After this time, you consciously allow yourself a 5 minute break. After that, you continue with the focused work for another 25 minutes. Then again a break. Don’t let the crisis drive you crazy and be active instead of reactive.

Be appreciative of yourself as well as of others

The crisis shakes us all up quite a bit in the social context as well. Because what used to be taken for granted is currently subject to new rules. Whether it’s meeting on campus or for lunch in the cafeteria, distance and hygiene concepts must be observed and mouth-nose protection becomes a constant companion. Be aware in your daily interactions that part of your facial expression disappears behind the mask. A friendly look is therefore now more important than ever. And watch not only what you say, but also how you say it. A kind word does good, not only to the recipient but also to the sender. Accept that people face a crisis very differently. The spectrum from unfounded fear to carelessness is wide and makes people act and react very differently.

And treat yourself with respect, not only with other people, but also with yourself. Think about what is good for you, how you can find your strength, what gives you energy.

Good luck in the current semester!