Check-in with International Development Student Megan Culyer

Megan Culyer is a third year student in the International Development program.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your life?

COVID-19 had effected a lot of things in my life, as it has for everybody. For starters, I am doing classes online and working from home. Because of social distancing, I rarely leave my house unless the reason is essential.

This is different from my usual lifestyle, as I typically enjoy spending my days on campus. I am coping by keeping a schedule for myself and sticking to it! 

How has your schooling been affected?

All of my classes are now online. It is very interesting to see courses being run online that aren't typically online. For example, this semester I have three seminar based courses, so creating lively discussions has been... interesting. For two of these classes we use the discussion boards on CourseLink, for the other we are meeting online via Zoom.

My professors for my other two classes create weekly online lectures. I do my best to treat these as I would any regular class and engage to the best of my ability. It is also helpful that all of my professors have been super accommodating during this time!

How are you keeping busy?

I have been staying in touch with my family through many, many video chats and phone calls. These are times in my day that I really look forward to.

I am trying my best to do daily stretching and work outs with my roommates at home. Every day, a new member of the house comes up with a work out plan that lasts about 30 minutes. We do these in the mornings to start our days off nicely!

I have also picked up the hobby of crocheting. I am currently attempting to create a scarf. Finally, my roommates and I try to schedule painting nights and board game nights a couple times a week. 

Any tips for other students?

Try to have a plan of what you are going to do every day, set goals and stick to them to the best of your ability. Something that is helping me is to dress up as if I were going to school or work, even just for a few hours. This helps me feel productive and more motivated to take on the day.

I also try to do school work at a desk or table instead of in my bed. Lastly, open the windows! Being inside all day can make your house feel stuffy. Airing it out once or twice a day can be very helpful.