It is almost safe to say that the world is in shambles. 2020 has only just begun and here we are, in the middle of a pandemic. Things and situations are changing in the blink of an eye and it’s all extremely overwhelming.
In a time like this, we as a community need to support and be there for one another, albeit from a distance. It has become a social responsibility to quarantine ourselves and quarantine is not easy. It is not only boring, but also emotionally demanding. There’s a lot of time to do good, productive things, but there is also a lot to reflect on the past, the present and the future.
We spoke to students from the Jacobs University community on their thoughts on quarantine and how they’re spending time in their dorm rooms.
Fezi Manana (Swaziland) | Class of 2020 | BSc Computer Science
1. List 3 things that you are planning to do/are doing while you're stuck in your room.
Write my thesis, play video games and order pizza from 2 different restaurants and bet on which one will arrive first.
2. How are you dealing with the rapid changes and the vast amount of information?
Memes are the way, the truth and the light.
3. What is something you're reflecting on, while you have the time and space to do so?
Why have all my relationships failed? Also, where did pigeons live before cities were invented? Try picture a pigeon in a tree with a straight face, you can't do it. This genuinely haunts me.
Ignacio Gabriel Muñoz Lanza (Venezuela) | Class of 2020 | BA Psychology
1. List 3 things that you are planning to do/are doing while you're stuck in your room.
I’m using the additional free time (no classes, no TA jobs) to work on my thesis, get my reading habits back to speed and do some creative writing. I’m planning on taking a writing challenge: 20,000 words by the end of April.
2. How are you dealing with the rapid changes and the vast amount of information?
I check the news once in the morning and once in the evening. The rest of the day is a corona-free oasis where I focus on my own responsibilities. Humour also helps; can’t be too stressed about the breakdown of society when you’re busy thinking of jokes around the issue.
3. What is something you're reflecting on, while you have the time and space to do so?
The biggest takeaway of these days is definitely the real power of Internet. I’ve reconnected with many old friends and now I’m calling someone different every evening. Being able to reach out to your close friends even during isolation proves we’re not in this alone.
Neshima Mavani (Malaysia) | Class of 2020 | BSc biochemistry and cell biology
1. List 3 things that you are planning to do/are doing while you're stuck in your room.
Journaling more, reading books for my personal development and playing my guitar more!
2. How are you dealing with the rapid changes and the vast amount of information?
I am just trying to stay safe by obeying the social distancing rules and also to keep calm because I know everything is going to be fine in the end.
3. What is something you're reflecting on, while you have the time and space to do so?
I have been reflecting more on the meaning of life and the way I invest my time, energy and resources. I think it's important to use what is given to me wisely.
Katrin von Seggern (Germany) | Class of 2021| BSc Intelligent Mobile Systems
1. List 3 things that you are planning to do/are doing while you're stuck in your room.
I taught myself embroidery over winter break and plan to work on some projects, I can finally read all the books that I ordered this semester while recovering from my wisdom teeth surgery, I play pc games and talk to my friends over Discord
2. How are you dealing with the rapid changes and the vast amount of information?
I'm trying to always stay well-informed on newest developments and I think the university is doing a good job with sending out emails to alleviate rumours on campus. I also try not to panic too much because even though I'm at risk with the medical conditions I have, panicking only makes it worse.
3. What is something you're reflecting on, while you have the time and space to do so?
I'm thinking a lot about how I sometimes forget to appreciate the small things in life that make me happy. Just weeks ago, I was looking forward to multiple concerts and vacations that are all cancelled and now, in that sad situation, I try to see the beauty in the little things in life: The cherry blossoms and all the flowers growing on campus, the spare time I now have to try new things and so on.
Yazdan Qureshi (Pakistan) | Class of 2022 | BSc Industrial Engineering and Management
1. List 3 things that you are planning to do/are doing while you're stuck in your room.
For the most of it I just plan to do stuff which I don't end up doing and just like eat something. I read mostly, spend a decent amount on Netflix reality shows and video-games. If I have the motivation I sometimes write random stuff.
2. How are you dealing with the rapid changes and the vast amount of information?
Well the news is really conflicting. Everyone says something different which can get confusing. Just taking the necessary precautions to stay safe.
3. What is something you're reflecting on, while you have the time and space to do so?
Just stuff that I planned to do in the past on whether to start it again or not. Cursing fate on keeping us indoors in prime outgoing weather. Realizing I'm blessed in being fortunate enough to have the resources to protect myself.
Prajwal Bhattarai (Nepal) | Class of 2020 | BSc Computer Science
1. List 3 things that you are planning to do/are doing while you're stuck in your room.
I've been working on my thesis, watching a LOT of Netflix, and going on walks to get out of my room.
2. How are you dealing with the rapid changes and the vast amount of information?
While the isolation is not always fun, I'm not as bothered by the changes as others seem to be. I haven't been following the developments of the virus on the internet so the only information I'm getting is through the university emails. This way, I get relevant information while not being overwhelmed by everything that is happening.
3. What is something you're reflecting on, while you have the time and space to do so?
I guess the whole situation has made me think about facing each day as it comes and to not assume too much about the future.
Patricia Mae Lim (Philippines) | Class of 2021 | BSc biochemistry and cell biology
1. List 3 things that you are planning to do/are doing while you're stuck in your room.
I'm trying to keep up with my academics, although it's pretty hard for me to stay motivated at the moment. Mostly I've been gaming a lot, and I just recently learned how to ride a bike so I've been trying to get more confident at that.
2. How are you dealing with the rapid changes and the vast amount of information?
I try to keep as updated as possible - I like to check in at least once a day on databases handled by reputable sources like John Hopkins and the Robert Koch Institute to make sure I'm getting accurate information.
3. What is something you're reflecting on, while you have the time and space to do so?
I've been reflecting on the disparity between how people in power are handling the current crisis. In my country, for example, several government officials are now the subject of public ire since it was discovered that they'd been demanding to be tested as priority patients. People are angry, and rightly so, especially if it is found that they didn't even meet the requirements for testing.
Tom Wilfling (Germany) | Class of 2021 | BSc Medicinal chemistry and chemical biology
1. List 3 things that you are planning to do/are doing while you're stuck in your room.
I’m trying to use the time and start reading more. I just started re-reading “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline, one of my all-time favourite books. I’m playing video games a lot, mostly competitive games like Overwatch. I just got my hands on the new Doom and it’s a lot of fun to play. Of course, I also have to study. I’ve started to use the spare time to review some of the older lectures and try to keep up with everything.
2. How are you dealing with the rapid changes and the vast amount of information?
In my opinion it is quite hard to adapt to everything as fast as the university wants us to. I’m trying to keep up with the nearly constant flow of information’s and new regulations, but it is not that easy. But I think it is working out so far!
3. What is something you're reflecting on, while you have the time and space to do so?
I’m not really the person to go down into my own feelings. But I have realised in the last weeks that, if I’m not occupied with lectures all the time, I get lazy and do not really put as much effort into my studies as I should.
BY USHASHI BASU (INDIA) | CLASS OF 2020
