Mastering lockdown
Evalynn shares a diary of how she has been coping with studying and living through the last month of social distancing.
Hiya! Welcome to my first blog. I’m currently writing this from my makeshift work area, after being in lockdown for four weeks while also studying for MA Visual Communication. I’m looking forward to sharing some of my recent experiences with you.
So, what I have I done over the past four weeks?
Week one
I got to grips with spending 23 hours a day in a small two-bed flat. At first it wasn’t easy, but I soon adjusted by making a working desk in my living room and separating it from my sofa. I also experienced my first online tutorial with my tutor, it was weird not seeing them in person, but I knew it was something I was going to have to get used to. Since the first week of lockdown, communication with my tutor and peers has become relatively easy. We meet on Zoom weekly to discuss project progression, and we’re encouraged to actively post on a forum, which allows us to continue connecting visually.
Week two
During lockdown, I have been fortunate enough to be able to continue working for the research department at Solent. Much like my study, I have been using Zoom to connect with my colleagues on a regular basis. Working at home felt different at first, but through support and virtual 9am tea meetings, I soon got into a routine. I’m so thankful for technology during these hard times - much like everyone else, it’s enabled me to keep some sort of normality.
Week three
This week was Easter and I cracked on with my uni work. It was going well until I realised that I needed the university printing facilities to move forward with practical progression. This was when I needed to put my thinking cap on and find a solution to my problem. Through support of my tutor, I came across a website that allowed me to order the materials I needed. I’ve found during lockdown, the internet has opened me up to many different virtual resources I didn’t know were available; they’ve been my saviour!
Week four
Keeping active is good for the mind. This is the week I decided to take the plunge and sign up to an eight-week home fitness challenge. I realised that the running I had been completing over the past month was doing my mental and physical health the world of good, so I decided to challenge myself further (what’s the worst that could happen!?) This challenge has got me using my initiative by using water bottles as dumbbells and furniture as gym equipment. So far so good. I would highly recommend doing something similar if you’re looking to keep active within your home.
Although everyone’s lockdown experiences are different, I hope you all have been finding your own ways to keep motivated, productive and positive. My top tip that’s come from lockdown, is to keep a routine. Routine has allowed me to keep busy, keep active, and keep focused. What’s your top tip?
Evalynn
