A modern Rapunzel tale
My experience of studying during the pandemic
What do students of this year’s first and third semester have in common? Correct, neither of them have set foot on the university campus before. With the start of the new winter semester on our doorstep next Monday and today’s World Student Day, let’s take a moment to unwrap why this day exists and why we should celebrate it especially this year.
“Have the courage to think differently.”
In 2010, the United Nations Organisation (UNO) declared the 15th of October of each year to the World Student Day to commemorate the lost lives of students of the University of Prague in the Second World War. The day chosen is the birth anniversary of former Indian President and teacher Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in order to honour his contributions towards his students’ lives and their education. Browsing the internet you can find countless of Kalam’s quotes that inspire not only young adults at higher education institutions, but rather everyone, that we are “students for life” as we constantly keep on learning. Take this day to follow Kalam’s advice and stay courageous and allow yourself to think differently, even when it comes to hoping for a more normal life on campus.
A room as big as a prisoner’s cell
When campus suddenly decimates from a couple of hectares with a cafeteria, a library with thousands of books, places to study and socialise to a couple of square meters, it feels strange. Everything felt weirdly silent. The sometimes even intense dialogues between teachers and fellow students became more and more quiet as students became nothing more than black tiles on a screen. To some, the online courses were a relief because they meant less travel time and more flexibility when it comes to coordinating work and personal life. Still, many parts that belong to studying the same way that books do, couldn’t just be replaced by online alternatives. Suddenly we became confined to the borders of our once solely personal space.
A few weeks into the start of my university life, I moved into a flatshare and didn’t give much thought to the modest size of my room, as I was “going to spend most of my time on campus anyways”. It didn’t take long until I felt like I was going insane, sitting in the same room for zoom lectures, calls with friends and even exercising via zoom. I became a prisoner of my own room and seized every opportunity to anything not involving sitting in my room in front of the screen – which was frankly, not easy.
Ready, (re)set, go!
Whether it’s a newbie or an “old hand”, trivial things such as meet-ups for lunch in the cafeteria are worth looking forward to. Nobody knows to this point how the regulations are going to work out after all or if the daily buzz has to return to virtual classes, but there is room for hope. Some of you reading this might be former students. What do you remember most from your years of studies? It might be the feeling of finally handing in the paper you worked on for weeks or chatting with other students about the incomprehensibility of the topic between classes. Or having a coffee out of the vending machine to pull through a late-night library session. Imagine not having any of these experiences for more than a year – it might explain why after three semesters of online studies, it feels like a new start. My first semester was to be the last “normal one” for more than a year. In this time, a lot has changed. Many of those that started studying with me changed their course, dropped out or moved back to their families. It feels like a trip down memory lane: the excitement prior to the first classes when you don’t know a single name on the attendees list, getting lost in the maze of nearly identical corridors. However, you can never know: will it feel the same? Or did we get too used to remote life? In any case, if you see a student today, wish them all the best and cross your fingers for them to finally have a little more normality back in their lives soon!
Learn as you go
It’s not only lectures and books that teach us, but also real work experience. Joining a company during your studies already can give you deep insights into a branch you might not have considered yet. Thousands of graduates out there spent their last semesters more or less alone, but entering a job will create opportunities for getting to know amazing colleagues and adhering new skills. Working at meteocontrol is definitely not like one of the typical student jobs, but is home for creative and bright minds. You won’t just be “the working student” but rather contribute as a full team member to the company’s day-to-day business. Don’t miss the chance to boost your knowledge and embark your professional life with one of our open positions!
