Welcoming technology with open arms and implementing healthy habits

While COVID-19 has caused much inconvenience, I like to frame these events as 'opportunity for change'. Opportunity to adapt and re-evaluate study habits and the strategies that we employ to combat stressors.

By now, the vast majority of courses across all Victorian universities have migrated to an online format. Something we can all appreciate is the convenience that this offers especially for those who spend hours commuting to University. You may miss the face-to-face interactions with your tutors and peers. Still, collaboration is key but bear in mind that your learning doesn't stop just because you can't see them in person. Try reaching out on social media to your peers. WeChat, WhatsApp and Facebook are a couple of my favourites. Calling and sharing resources is available through these apps and benefits everybody. Even before this situation, students would organise group projects through these platforms.

We are fortunate enough to be born in a society that embraces technology, so why not use it to your advantage? Here are my tips on welcoming technology with open arms:

• Workforce seniors try to emphasise learning is not confined to the classroom. Expand upon your tutorials and assigned readings. If you don't understand what quantitative easing is because you've never heard it before in your tutes, nothing is stopping you from learning what it is on YouTube.
• You don't understand why your R Code for an economics assignment isn't working. A combination of online forums can aid your learning and investing some hard hours in solving an issue yourself can be efficient.
• Use online modules to complement your learning or develop your desired area of interest within commerce. There are many cheap online courses provided by companies like Udemy and StreamSkill. Workers even within EY engage in Udemy courses.
• Most companies and student clubs have not abolished events altogether; they have moved a lot of them online. For that reason, stay tuned to Facebook and company websites for online activities. Case competitions like ESSA's Public Policy Case Competition are still underway but will take an online format.

Aside from studies, take the time to find something that will bring balance to your life. You don't want to become stir crazy as a result of social distancing! Don't stream five lectures that you missed in one day. You are unlikely to retain most of what you see. Break it down over days. Study for two hours or so, give yourself a good twenty to thirty-minute break and repeat. During your breaks, do something that doesn't involve a screen. Perhaps start a push-up challenge with your friends or take up a craft hobby. If you find yourself procrastinating too much, create an online schedule and put together a checklist to tick off as you progress.

Don't forget that we are all in this together!

Amber Lee, BCom student