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Studying in times of corona StudieLab Faculty of Social Sciences
Studying in times of corona
StudieLab
Faculty of Social Sciences
One of KU Leuven’s measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus is offering education through digital channels only.
The KU Leuven opts for online education, e.g. web lectures, knowledge clips and Skype feedback sessions. But what does this
new form of education entail? How do you cope with all those digital course materials?
We give you 10 study tips in times of corona!
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Tip 1: be sure to have a routine
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A whole day and nothing to do: no classes, no library, no friends, no sports, no
parties ... which makes it difficult to have a routine. Therefore, it’s best to make your
own personal schedule. Get up and take breaks at set times and have a scheduled
time for web lectures and studying.
Pretend it’s a working day so you know you can stop working and clear your head at
the end of the day. It’s crucial for your mental health to go outside regularly, as long
it is permitted. For example, go for a short walk after breakfast as if you were going
to class. That way you can start your day with a clear mind. It’s also good to go for a
long walk after a long day of studying and working in front of a computer.
It’s very important to get some fresh air, even if the government decides to restrict
our movements even further. Go sit in the garden or on the balcony. If you live in an
apartment or dorm, be sure to clear the air by opening the windows.
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Tip 2: create a dedicated study space
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Make sure to have a dedicated study space at home. You can e.g. always study at your desk or
kitchen table. Make sure your study space is peaceful, quiet and distraction-free. Look for a spot that
is always available so you can study at your scheduled time. Tell yourself you will this spot for
studying only. Do not eat, watch series, sleep... here so you can easily distinguish between studying
and relaxing.
The following tips can help you create a good dedicated study space:
Eliminate distractions: Tell your parents, housemates or partner you’ll be taking online classes. Make
sure that you can watch the web lectures in peace and that they help you stick to your schedule.
Leave your phone in another room, (temporarily) block social media with an app...
Choose a well-lit room: opt for natural light or a desk lamp with pleasant lighting.
Mind your posture: yes, you can watch a web lecture while sitting on the floor with your laptop
balanced on your knees but it’s not very comfortable. If you’re using the computer for long periods
of time, it’s best to find a comfortable position.
Create a good atmosphere: not with your favourite party playlist but with some quiet background
music or perhaps absolute silence - it’s up to you. Taking an online course is a lot more fun with a
nice cup of tea, coffee or a hot coco and a scented candle.
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Tip 3: learning objectives don't change
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You’re already familiar with the course’s learning objectives. Those objectives don’t
change even though the course is now taught online. You can find the objectives of every
course in the ECTS course descriptions.
Keep in mind that the current situation can change at any time. Especially courses with
special types of assessment, such as interviews, presentations, group projects ... might be
subject to change. Therefore, it is important to check Toledo and your student email
regularly.
Make an overview of all your courses consisting of two columns: write down which
alternative form of teaching is used for every course (web lectures, knowledge clips...) in
the first one and the courses’ deadlines and type of assessment in the second one. If
lecturers decide to take on another approach, adjust the overview so you know where you
stand.
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Tip 4: pretend you’re still going to class
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Pretend you’re still going to class: take your online course at set times every week,
take notes just like you would do in class and keep your notes and syllabus organised
afterwards.
If you stick to your normal routine as much as possible, you’re well on track to
prepare for your exams. If you don't and pretend you’re on holiday, you’ll have too
much catching up to do before the exams. That may be an option for one course but
not for three, four or five courses. That’s why it’s best to still “attend” your lectures.
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Tip 5: make a study plan
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Watch the web lectures or knowledge clips at set times every week. Make a study
plan every week to keep track of this. First, decide when you’ll be watching the web
lectures. Then, make sure to have enough time to organise your notes and to study
the syllabus. After that you can schedule other important things: are you going to the
grocery store for a friend or maybe your neighbour? Do you want to call a friend in
Skype to catch up? Add it to your schedule.
Creating a study plan requires a lot of motivation and discipline. Can't stop
procrastinating? Try the following tips. Set a timer for 10 minutes and start working.
You’ll notice that you’re actually doing pretty well by the time those 10 minutes have
passed and you’ll probably want to continue working. Or maybe use the pomodoro
technique: determine which tasks you want to do for the day, set a timer for 25
minutes and take 5-minute break. You don’t have to complete the task in 25 minutes
but you just need to make progress. Take a longer break of 25 minutes after every 4
tasks of 25 minutes each. Another way to stay motivated is to watch a web lecture
with a couple of friends at the same time.
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Tip 6: make a daily TO-DO list
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Not only a weekly schedule but also a daily TO-DO list van be very helpful. Make the list as
specific and achievable as possible. Pick three priority tasks you really have to complete
that day. For instance: watch the web lecture of class 6 of Media Text Analysis, organise
your notes and read two of the accompanying articles. Try to do at least three things for
school every day. Watch a web lecture, read the chapter that was covered in the lecture
and make sure your notes are organised and intelligible.
It’s perfectly normal if you struggle to find your routine. Both students and lecturers need
to adapt to this new way of teaching. Please be patient if you don't have access to all your
lectures yet. If the lecture you’d like to watch has not yet been posted on Toledo, read the
chapter instead or watch a lecture of another course.
Being on track is an achievement so reward yourself if you have accomplished your goals
that day or week: eat your favourite snack, call your best friend, watch an episode (or
more ;) ) of your favourite series...
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Tip 7: adopt an active and positive attitude
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Participate: reflect on the subjects covered in the web lectures, ask yourself
questions, start online discussions about the subject matter on the Toledo forum,
compare notes with friends... Be creative!
These online courses are a new way of studying so see them as a new opportunity.
Your attitude to online education is closely connected with how well you’ll do. Be
positive. After all, perseverance and discipline look well on your résumé, right?
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Tip 8: relax from time to time
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Relax from time to time. It’s very important to take enough breaks from studying,
just like you’d do with a regular study plan. Binge-watching four-hour lectures will
not make you more productive. Make time for some fun activities as well: go to the
park for a walk, watch an episode (or more ;) ) of your favourite series, call your
friends or housemates in Skype...
This is not the time for ambitious projects: training for the Olympics is not a great
idea for the time being. You could get injured which puts unnecessary pressure on
our healthcare system. You can, however, work on your six-pack with a simple
home workout.
It’s important to stay informed but avoid an information overload and be aware of
fake news. Choose a set time to watch the news and don't let fear distract you
while you’re studying.
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Tip 9: stay in touch
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It’s extremely important to stay in touch with each other as to make sure we don't
grow lonely. Gatherings with friends or family are currently not allowed but try to text
a loved one every single day. Call your grandma or granddad, text a classmate you
haven't seen in a while or skype with fellow students.
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Tip 10: take care of each other
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Has your neighbour difficulty walking but do they need something from the store?
Can you help someone out by baby-sitting for a couple of hours? Every little helps.
Not feeling well? Take care of yourself and stay home!
We hope you stay positive and safe the next few weeks!
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You can still contact us by email or telephone. Need to talk to someone? Need
motivation? Give us a call or send us an email: we’re here for you!
Our contact details are available on the website www.soc.kuleuven.be/studielab
Do you have questions about some particular courses of your programme? Please
contact one of the following people:
• Anthropology: [email protected]
• Communication Sciences: [email protected]
• Journalism: [email protected]
• Political Sciences: [email protected]
• Sociology: [email protected]
• Subject-specific teacher training programme & Master of Teaching:
Find more study tips on the Study Advice Service website.
The website www.kuleuven.be/coronavirus gives a comprehensive overview of KU
Leuven’s coronavirus measures.
Contact
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Good Colleges. (2019, June 26). 21 Tips for Online Classes Success | How to Study. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://goodcolleges.online/study-tips-for-success/
Kajabi. (2017, August 29). 12 Study Tips For Online Learners: Succeed in your eLearning Course. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://blog.kajabi.com/12-study-tips-for-online-learners-succeed-in-your-elearning-course
Kaushal, K. (2019, May 27). 10 Best Apps to Keep You Off Your Phone. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://techwiser.com/apps-to-keep-you-off-your-phone/
Pappas, C. (2015, June 10). Getting The Most Out Of Your eLearning Course: 10 Study Tips For Online Learners. Retrieved March 13, 2020, frohttps://elearningindustry.com/10-study-tips-for-online-learners-getting-the-most-out-of-your-elearning-course
Prasad, P., Maag, A., Redestowicz, M., & Hoe, L. (2018). Unfamiliar technology: Reaction of international students to blended learning. Computers & Education, 122, 92-103.
StudieLab (2020). StudieLab. Retrieved 2016, 2020, from: https://soc.kuleuven.be/fsw/studentenportaal/begeleiding/studielab
Teleblok. (2020). Afleiding. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from: https://www.teleblok.be/afleiding
Vives. (2019, June 20). De Pomodoro techniek. Retrieved March 16, 2020, from: https://studiecoach.vives.be/studeren/wat-kan-je-doen/afgeleid-bij-het-studeren/
Bibliography
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