Dear students!
Right at the beginning of the summer semester we all faced completely unexpected challenges. Of course we all accepted the challenge to transfer the entire teaching to online mode within 24 hours!
To make "DaHome Learning" a little easier for you, we have summarized some tips from our experiences with the DiBSE study program for you:
Computer ready, Internet running and you are ready to go! Almost: Look for a quiet, if possible tidy learning and working place. Stick to this one, frequent changes are not advisable. Take care to keep your learning and working area clean. This really makes it easier to keep an overview. Air it regularly and do not forget to clean the tools.
Make sure you have a matching table and armchair at home – from an ergonomic point of view. The distance to the monitor should be between 50 and 80 centimetres. Place the monitor directly in front of you and not offset to the side. The view into the middle of the monitor should be at an angle of about 35 degrees.
We recommend that you simulate a normal day at MCI – with fixed learning and working hours and of course regular breaks that you plan in advance. Think about it: When do you work? When is lunch break? When are coffee breaks? When is enough for today? Planning the time frame helps you not to lose sight of your tasks and to stay motivated over a longer period of time!
What should be done by tonight or by the weekend? Take certain tasks, projects, learning stations as your goal. A to-do list with corresponding time slots is really handy! By writing it down, your plan gets a certain commitment – in this case to yourself.
If you notice that you can no longer concentrate, take a short break. Open the window, air the room or stretch your feet for a moment.
Attention is a fleeting commodity. If you switch back and forth between too many different tasks and activities, at some point your focus no longer keeps up. The well known multitasking effect sends its regards. Therefore: One task at a time, easily enough!
In order to maintain motivation, you have to treat yourself to something. Think in advance about what you want to treat yourself to in order to achieve your goal. Maybe a piece of chocolate? But remember: Cheating does not count! There is a reward only for a goal that has actually been achieved!
The get-together in the morning, the small talk whilst having a coffee in the break and the chat at lunchtime – you have to do without all that in times of Corona. It is understandable that you lack social contacts. We already miss you too. Telephone calls and video conferences are used for regular exchange, and ideas and projects can also be discussed well. If the going gets tough and the cabin fever is not far off, you can always contact our dear assistant, colleague and MCiT graduate Magdalena Posch. She will gladly give you an open ear! Just grab your laptop and write an informal mail to Magdalena.Posch@mci.edu or call: 0512 2070 3524.
There is no longer an opportunity to cycle to the MCI, nor to walk around the campus area or visit the gym on the way home. Therefore, try to integrate as much exercise as possible into your studentlife – in this case at home. Circling your head, shoulders, arms and hands, folding your hands behind your back, bending to the left and right, etc. These exercises can be easily planned at your desk. For those who want to do a real home workout, we recommend the Basefive video series: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfj9Fs8udfcrZ0AQjygDww
Last but not least: Think positive and have your big goal in mind – the successful completion of your MCiT studies. Even if times like these are associated with uncertainty, numerous innovations and changes, you can learn a lot and get ahead positively strengthened! We really do everything for that!
Happy work, stay on the ball and above all, stay healthy.
We are all looking forward to seeing you again!
Your Peter
