- Establish Routines: The planning and organising of your time is always important, but now it is more important than ever. Try to make your day as normal as possible. Get up at the same time as you usually would. Get dressed and get ready as though you were going to the university. Take breaks – and most importantly a proper lunch break. Have a set time in the day when you stop working and do something else.
- Structure and Plan – Take Charge of Your Free Time: What are you going to do today? What is your goal for the week? Use your study guide to help you; plan backwards according to the dates of the course examinations and deadlines for the submission of assignments. Use a calendar. When you begin to lose motivation, which you may at times, be sure to reward yourself for your small achievements. Set goals!
- Create a Pleasant Study Zone at Home: If you live in a small space, then you most likely don’t have a separate room where you can study. If this is the case, try at least to find a space that is solely for you and your studies. Keep the rest of your home study-free. At the end of the day, pack away your computer, books and notes. It is more important than ever now that you separate work from leisure.
- Take Regular Breaks: It is easy to sit too long in uncomfortable positions when you work from home. Be sure to take a break at least once an hour, and to get up and move.
- Keep Up With Lectures: It is important that you take part in lectures and seminars. That way, you can make sure you are studying the right content and can ask questions.
- Remove Distractions (for example, social media/mobile phone): In difficult times, it can be harder than usual to concentrate. This is why it is important that you remove anything that might distract you. Close programmes on your computer that you do not need. Test the Pomodoro Technique whereby you work intensively in short stretches and then take a break.
- Use the University’s Digital Tools: Use Dalarna University’s available programmes and student licences to help you in your studies – Study Tools.
- Stay in Touch: We’re lucky enough to live in a world where we can stay in touch with each other online. Make use of this. Chat with classmates. Organise coffee breaks on Zoom. Call a friend.
- Several Students, Same Household: If several of you are working and studying from the same home, it might be a good idea for you to discuss certain rules. Who will work where? Are you able to work at the same time, or do you need to take turns so that you don’t disturb each other? Do you need to set some rules for during this time?
- Look After Yourself: Make sure you get up and move every day. It might be enough with a walk, perhaps middle of the day. You’ll stay healthier this way, and daylight will help you stay alert. There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, and it’s completely natural for you to feel uneasy and worried. Try to take one day at a time. Worrying requires energy: don’t waste yours on unnecessary things. Focus on the here and now, and on doing what you need to. If you are very worried, then it might be a good idea not to watch the news too often. Try to distract yourself with something else. Read a book. Play a game. Watch a film. And you are always welcome to contact Student Counselling Services for advice and support.
Student Counselling Services
You are welcome to contact us at Student Counselling Services when you need somebody to talk to, be it in relation to your studies or to life in general. Our services are offered by a student counsellor, university chaplain and university deacon. All communication is confidential.
Last reviewed: