Online learning can get a bit dreary, all those hours sitting infant of a computer screen going through mind numbing lectures, not able to see your friends. It’s been a tough year for everyone. Here are just a few of my tips that I have found to be useful over the past year. Hope they help you too inshaAllah!
- Renew your intentions. It can get tough especially in non-clinical years sitting behind a screen you can easily forget why you chose to do this 6 year degree in the first place. Remind yourself of the goal of being a doctor and why you chose to do this in the first place – write it down. Also remember that the ultimate goal in the end is to please Allah SWT and medicine is just a means to it. Keeping this in mind not only motivates you, but also takes the pressure off. If your only competition is with yourself, you have nothing to worry about!
- Take regular breaks away from any screens. It’s important to break up the monotony of the day not just by scrolling on Instagram or watching Netflix but try to also go for a walk or read a book. Schedule in time for this, and don’t feel guilty about taking these breaks. Remember that even though you have more “time” you still have the same amount of energy, willpower and brain space – don’t set unrealistic expectations of productivity simply because you are now stuck at home. Self-care is important to avoid burning out.
- Chatting to family and friends. With the lack of a social life that everyone has right now, it can be far too easy to isolate yourself. Schedule in time for your family and friends too even if it has to be online. Study groups are a great way of killing two birds with one stone. Dedicate a certain amount of time to studying in your call and another portion for chit-chat. It’s sometimes nice just to have company while you work even if you and your friends are working on separate things.
- Check in with someone you haven’t heard from in a while. You don’t know how this pandemic has affected different people and many people may have no-one to talk to. It only takes a simple message to brighten someone’s day. Remember to reach out to those you haven’t heard from in a while and just check in.
- AGM season is just around the corner. Just because there’s aren’t any in-person events doesn’t mean societies have ceased to exist. With march begins the series of AGMs. Go for something, a role that will challenge you and improve your skills. Remember that university is not just a time for academic growth but also personal development. There are certain skills that the medicine course itself just cannot teach you, you learn by practice. Whether you think you have poor leadership skills, poor communication or whatever quality you think you lack in. Go for a role on a society that requires those skills in order to help you improve them. It’s only by thrusting yourself into scary things that you can grow.
- – Shifa Bangi