Student life during 2021: 'We discovered new ways to feel connected’
Saxion students share their experience and reflect about their student life during 2021. Regardless of their background they all shared the same struggles and hurdles: loneliness, uncertainty, and demotivation. However, they learned new ways to get connected and there's plenty to look forward to.
Let's take some time to reflect on the past year before the new one start. Could you first introduce yourself?
Lucija: 'Sure! I'm from Croatia. I am currently in my third year of Tourism Management.'
Priscille: 'I am from Aruba, which is one of the islands within the Dutch Kingdom. I’m currently in my second year of Applied Psychology.'
Leonie: 'I’m a Dutch student currently in my third year of Creative Business at Saxion.'
Jelle: 'And last but not least, I'm a Dutch student too and in the fourth year of Security Management at Saxion.'
What are the first 3 to 5 key words that comes to mind when you think of the past year?
Lucija: ‘Change, uncertainty and loneliness.’
Priscille: ‘Hectic, mentally draining and “teachable” year.’
Leonie: ‘Covid-19, personal growth and new hobbies.’
Jelle: ‘Become self-sufficient, adapting to the online education, lonely.’
What was the most challenging part of this year for you?
Lucija: ‘It was hard for me to accept that no one is here and adapt to online classes. It was particularly difficult to manage myself and balance online classes and social life. The internship was also online, so I had to handle disappointment after disappointment. Also, I had a hard time motivating myself because I had no one to physically remind me to meet certain goals. I was also scared to start at activities or hobbies because it was uncertain whether it would go well. Now I am not scared to take in new challenges and have confidence that I can do anything.’
I had a hard time motivating myself because I had no one to physically remind me to meet certain goals.
What kept you going through this past year?
Leonie: 'I just focused on the nice things, like evenings with my family and boyfriend, keeping in contact with friend or take our dogs for a walk. Also, Covid-19 gave me a lot of time to embrace new hobbies, for example I started working out, listening to podcasts, reading books and painting. These things were al great to pass the time, or to get my mind off things for a while.'
Jelle: 'I don't think I always kept going. Every now and then, I took a day for myself where I just ate candy and watched Netflix and felt bad. But that's okay because it is part of life. Sometimes you need to let go, so you can come back stronger the next day.'
Covid-19 gave me a lot of time to embrace new hobbies, for example I started working out, listening to podcasts, reading books and painting
What is something you did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?
Lucija: 'Staying in the Netherlands for the whole past year while there was a lockdown and not being able to do much. I arrived in the Netherlands in 2019 so was still a new environment and then the pandemic arrived soon afterwards. I knew I was going to be alone because at the time we had an internship, and most people went back home. Regardless, I thought to take this as a challenge, and it worked out.'
Jelle: 'My friends and I could not see each other as much in real life. We used online methods to speak to each other, play games and have fun. At the height of Covid-19, we met up online 4 or 5 times per week. We discovered new ways to feel connected and have fun together, which made our bonds stronger in the end.'
My friends and I discovered new ways to feel connected.
What are you looking forward for next year?
Lucija: 'I am looking forward to travelling to different countries with my friends and smart solutions semester at Saxion.'
Priscille: 'To pass all my test and start with my 3rd year in February. Looking forward to the Living Technology Day.'
Leonie: 'I look forward to my minor. I think it will be weird to go to school again after 5 months of internship, but I look forward to it. I also look forward to travelling and (hopefully) leaving Covid-19 far behind.'
Jelle: 'Next year I will have finished my studies. I hope the Covid-19 situation will be a bit more normal then, so I can travel a bit more and see the world.'
A valuable tip I received this year is to keep the weekends free to relax and get all the work done during the weekdays.
Do you have any tips for students who are struggeling with the current situation?
Priscille: ‘This past year during lockdown felt quite hard, just because there was less social interaction. Everything was online, and you are mostly home, sitting behind a laptop and when you are done you are still behind a screen. It was hard to balance study and regular life. This whole experience felt so straining to me, it just dragged on for a long time. Last year I lacked social life the most and now it has improved because I learned to manage myself better and I surround myself more often around others. A valuable tip I received this year is to keep the weekends free to relax and get all the work done during the weekdays.’