A Day in the Life of an Undergraduate Student during COVID-19!

“See you tomorrow!” I waved goodbye to my friend, blissfully unaware of what was to come. 

Months ago, in the midst of March, the usual hustle and bustle of daily life was put on pause, with the arrival of COVID-19. Seven months later, our bedrooms have transformed into our classrooms and we are all left figuring out how changes to our education would take place.

Today, I will take you through a typical "day-in-the-life" of a student, who like you, is trying to balance the commitment of school in an increasingly virtual world. Personally, I am privileged in being able to isolate and be confined at home, in a safe space. It is important to think about the realm of accessibility, especially for members of the international student community who might not have this particular advantage.

My weeks are usually taken up by three things - work, school and extracurriculars. I am majoring in a program called Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies with a double minor in Diaspora and Transnational Studies and English. My heaviest days are Tuesdays and Thursdays, where I have three classes in a row. Online classes have definitely revved the workload - even though we are in the comfort of our own homes, the demand of school continues!

I like to start my day with a big swig of coffee, before I flip open my laptop screen. After a full day of classes, I prioritize getting active. During the warmer summer months I would go outside for a run, or jog to my nearest park. As we near winter, I’ve been trying to explore other alternatives. Zumba for one, has become a regular fixture in my days. Being active does not always mean physical though - as I emphasize cultivating enough space for ourselves to assure our mental wellness. There are wonderful ways to remain active in the comfort of your own home, whether it is getting physical, or simply relaxing and enjoying some good tunes.

The next element of my day - is planning it! Sticking to a routine can be challenging during these trying times, when sometimes, all I want to do is sleep. I would highly recommend using “Notion” which is an organizational framework for desktop and mobile. It does an incredible job of prioritizing your commitments and helping plan short-term goals, which is an essential component of successfully completing assignments. 

Typically, I used to spend my time during weekdays working on campus and enjoying the weekend with my friends. It was common for us to walk around the city, head to restaurants and rejoice over the sunset. Now, the closest we will get is through our laptop cameras. However, as I proceed throughout my days, I notice how I have never really taken time to unwind. Ultimately, being at home has allowed for increased self-reflection and attention to personal care, a positive out of the overall situation.