Plan as well as structure your days and set daily goals. A daily routine helps you to use your time efficiently and to make good use of it. Plan calls and chats like you would appointments. Set yourself fixed hours for learning, eating, sleeping and having free time.
Whether it is your grandma, a friend from your semester abroad, or an old friend from school - now is the best time to call them or to video chat.
A lot of fun for example is the app "houseparty". Besides video calling you can play some games together with your friends. In addition, the app is for free.
Moving is very important for your phsical and mental well-being. Even if you have to stay at home, there are many ways to stay active and do some exercise. You will find a lot of online courses on YouTube or on the websites of many studios. There is certainly a suitable class for you. Or how about putting on your favorite music and dancing it off like nobody is watching?
Delicious, healthy food is good for body and soul. Use your time to cook something really tasty or something you have always wanted to try. For inspiration check TUM4Health's website (https://www.tum4health.de/kochvideos). If you do not want to go grocery shopping, there are some handy websites which propose recipes according to those ingredients you still have at home : https://www.chefkoch.de/rezept-reste.php.
Finally you have time to do things you have always put off. How about cleaning the apartment, re-decorating or decluttering your room, sorting your photos, clearing your phone storage, painting a picture, writing a poem or learning one by heart, making some music, learning a language, reading a book or meditating...
Challenge your friends. Motivate each other to achieve daily progress and send photos or videos as proof. These challenges are fun, help you achieve your goals, structure your days and make it easy to stay in touch. Whether it is a challenge about fitness, learning, cooking, tidying up or getting creative - you decide!
When was the last time you had time to read a book? And I don't mean as an assignment for one of your classes, but just because you wanted to. Reading can be done whenever and wherever - whether it be on your couch, or while enjoying the sun on your balcony or your back yard. Take a look at your book shelf, there is probably a long forgotten book ready to be rediscovered. There are also many books available online so you will have plenty of options to chose from.
Exchange ideas and recommendations with friends to help each other out.
Simply relaxing is allowed.
So why not turn off your computer and smartphone and really get some time to yourself?
Getting enough sleep and rest is very beneficial to a strong immune system.
You have already wanted to learn Spanish for your last summer holiday - but as usual your vacation was over more quickly than anticipated?
And during hectic every day life you could never find time to take piano lessons?
Whether it is a new language, an instrument or a hand stand- dare to try and learn something new.
I have two tips in regard to grocery shopping. Firstly, in order to practice social distancing you should go to the supermarket as rarely as possible. This is why I only go grocery shopping once a week to buy everything I need.
Secondly, since all shops are closed at the moment you might be more inclined to order things online. However, I would advise against it and instead find out if you can support a local store around the corner.
As the saying goes: necessity is the mother of invention. Many shop owners get creative by offering online services and selling coupons.
Many athletic people have lost their motivation since there won’t be any competitions in the near future. But this should not encourage you to quit and just lay on the couch all day long. Moving and eating healthily are now just as important as ever in order to stay fit and healthy. In the future there will come a time for sporting goals and new personal records. Until then just enjoy moving for its own sake.
In times like this we are all in similair situations: little to no contact to fellow students, friends and collegues . But instead we spend much more time with family, roommates or girlfriend/boyfriend. This offers us the chance to connect more deeply than we would normally have the time for during everyday life. My tip: enjoy it!
Show solidarity and help each other.
Your 80 year old grandma, the friendly woman next door or maybe even one of your friends belong to a high-risk group? Then offer to go grocery shopping or to run errands for them – they will surely appreciate your support.
Next week university will start again – probably in a different way than most of you have imagined and linked to a few challenges.
Therefore, it will be helpful to start structuring your day and planning your time.
Time to tidy up your desk and get your laptop ready so that nothing gets in the way of a successful semester.
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