Studying during a pandemic: ‘I want to break out of my social bubble’

After the latest press conference, it is clear that we aren’t out of the woods yet. Corona measures will be even stricter and will stay in place until at least 19 January 2021. This means that it will take some time before the TU Delft campus will buzz again with students.

Almost nine months ago, TU Delft was forced to switch to online education. Some students have since stayed at home, others are allowed to be on campus a few times a week. How are they holding up? Has the crisis affected their study progress, what do they do to relax and what are they looking most forward to once all restrictions are lifted? We spoke to six of them.

Huge relief

Master student Ingrid Staps (Architecture and the Built Environment) is one of the lucky ones as she is allowed to be on campus three days a week. “That’s a huge relief!” she says. Ingrid had a hard time focusing the first few months. “I live in a studio, so the place where I had to work was also the same place where I ate and relaxed. That was very demotivating.”

‘I miss the concentration and discipline to crawl behind my computer’

Third-year student Louise van den Wildenberg (Industrial Design Engineering) does not have the luxury of being on campus. She has been at home in Etten-Leur every day since March. “But I have been a bit more productive since I have no travelling time anymore,” she concludes. By now Louise has fallen into a nice routine, but for bachelor student, Ariane van der Mark (Civil Engineering & Geosciences) studying from home is beginning to take its toll. “The idea of ‘chilling at home and watching lectures at one’s own pace’ has changed over the months to the extent that I find it hard to summon up the concentration and discipline to crawl behind my computer to watch the sometimes still haphazard and impersonal live streamed lectures.”

Since Ariane does not have any on-campus lectures, she tries to study at the TU Library as often as she can. “But those time slots are often fully booked.” Master student Puji Nata Djaja (Architecture and the Built Environment) can relate. “To avoid stress, unproductivity and loneliness, I try to go to the Library from two to as often as four times a week.” Living in The Hague, she always cycles to TU Delft campus as the activity helps boost her physical and mental health.

Delay

Apart from the usual hiccoughs caused by remote studying, most students have not experienced study delays. Bachelor student Kristie (last name known to editor) however, failed two courses last year in Q4. “One of them because the resit was suddenly entirely different than what I was used to and was on Brightspace, so I wasn’t properly prepared.” Kristie feels that if it weren’t for Covid, the resit would have looked wildly different and she probably wouldn’t have failed.

‘Don’t be shy to ask for help’

But keeping up with the course load to avoid study delays can hugely affect your well-being. After staying at home for weeks with loads of work to do and not sleeping in the run up to the deadline, Puji became physically and mentally tired. “But it wasn’t until I screwed up the timing of my final online design presentation that I knew I needed help.”

Puji then reached out to her family in Indonesia and boyfriend back in Japan. “They simply listened and acknowledged my feelings and that helped. I also planned a trip to go back home, knowing that I wouldn’t survive another year in the Netherlands without ‘resetting’ myself back home with the people that matter most. Having something to look forward to motivated me to keep going.” She realizes that not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to travel back home for the holidays, but she believes help can come in many forms. “The most important thing is to recognize when you need help, and don’t be shy to ask for help when needed.”

Opportunities

When arriving at TU Delft this summer, first-year student Nachiket Pushpak Dighe (Aerospace Engineering) was set on making the most of his time here. “Averaging a 10 hour work day (often more) has been common practice, but it’s important to also appreciate the immense opportunities TU Delft offers outside of classrooms. That’s why Nachiket joined Lambach Aircraft, a society at the Aerospace Engineering Faculty. “It’s incredibly enjoyable to be a part of this team as I can apply the knowledge that I learned in practice.” For Nachiket it’s also a way to be socially engaged as he misses the small day-to-day interactions with fellow students.”

‘I would love to meet new people’

That’s something the students all agree on, they can’t wait to have spontaneous encounters with fellow students again. “I’ve become closer to my friends and roommates”, says Ariane. “But I would love to break out of my social bubble and meet new people. Not online, but face to face!”

Puji is looking forward to going back to work at the Japanese restaurant where she used to work, and Ingrid can’t wait to have the freedom again to go around town without worrying all the time. Being from South America, Kristie is awaiting the moment she can see her friends and family again. “Not seeing them this past year really affected me.”

This too shall pass

Until then, students need to soldier on. Louise hopes they are easy on themselves. “Do not worry if you’re sometimes not productive at all. In that case, get up, take a walk, and try again later.” Ariane urges students to stay in touch with friends, “Don’t isolate yourself completely”. Puji adds that comfort food or enough sleep can also help. “But only you know what works for you. Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and that this too, shall pass.”

• For anyone struggling, whether academically, physically, or mentally, please visit the TU Delft student-run well-being website. Here you will find a lot of tips, testimonials, and support information.