Cover Photo: Unsplash

Taken from the webinar "Preparing The Filipino Students For Higher Education During A Pandemic," here are tips to help students survive college life during quarantine!

We know how hard it can be to study online. Apart from the sometimes-faulty internet connection, it might be a bit harder to focus with minute distractions here and there. At a time like this, students are put under a lot of pressure — contributing to it is having less physical and social interactions.

Manila House's webinar Preparing The Filipino Students For Higher Education During A Pandemic moderated by Bambina Olivares was joined by renowned speakers: Felicia Atienza, President, CEO and Founder of the Chinese International School of Manila; Henry Motte-Muñoz, Founder and CEO of Edukasyon.ph; Dr Michael Alba, President of Far Eastern University; Emmanuel S. de Dios, Professor Emeritus at the University of the Philippines School of Economics; and Elizabeth Zobel de Ayala, Chairman and Co-founder of Teach for the Philippines.

After the webinar, we've compiled tips to help each student striving for success in such a challenging time:

1. Create A Daily Routine

Tatler Asia
Above Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash

The Chinese International School of Manila's President Felicia Atienza says that creating a routine can be helpful. Having an organised routine can help students create healthy habits. This even helps students adjust to change. Based on research, having new habits ultimately improves both mental and psychological conditions. Simply start with a morning routine and begin building towards a daily routine to have a more productive day.

2. Find Or Develop Hobbies

Tatler Asia
Above Photo by Stefan C. Asafti on Unsplash

As Felicia suggests, engaging with your peers online can be helpful, but interacting with someone physically is a different thing. Which is why developing or finding new hobbies at home with the whole family can be helpful during these times. Bond with the family and enhance skills all at once just by baking, cooking, painting, or even getting into planting!

3. Write To Reflect

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Unsplash

"Emotions matter in education," Elizabeth Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of Teach for the Philippines, firmly says. Since everyone is surfing the internet most of the time, doomscrolling can be inevitable. Which is why expressing frustrations and worries on a notebook or any piece of paper is vital. Having an outlet to release negative emotions certainly helps.

4. Keep A Gratitude Journal

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

After releasing all your negative thoughts, it's time to absorb all good things. To start, think of all the little wins you've had so far. Whether you made your bed, cooked your own meal, or read even just a single page of a book — know that it is worth celebrating. "[N]ot everything has been cancelled. You can still sing, you can still dance, you can still read...you can still hope," President of the Chinese International School of Manila Felicia reminds everyone.

5. Don't Be Scared To Reach Out

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pexels

It's a good thing universities and colleges are already taking a step to ensure their students receive modules and have innovative learning frameworks. FEU President Dr Michael Alba even explained how their university is preparing students for the future of online classes.

But before anyone can make a decision to develop their career path, it's always wise to have all the information needed. Which is why it would be a great idea to consult with a college counsellor, who can help students evaluate their studies and plan for a better future. If students are confused about their options or want to know more about what's out there, they can find guidance in Edukasyon.ph (a platform geared towards making education more accessible) shares founder and CEO, Henry Motte-Muñoz. He believes that getting professional and reliable advice is pertinent to finding success.

And students can always reach out not only to their peers but their teachers as well. "Social [and] emotional learning in education has become important today than before," Elizabeth says. Which only shows that checking up on each other during this time would do good for everyone.

"[The pandemic] has perhaps exacerbated [the long-standing problems] in the education system," Emmanuel S. de Dios says. Which is why students would need help the most during this time.

Aside from the tips we shared above, students are also in need of proper guidance to continue their journey towards a successful future. "[Gen Z] will not stop craving independence or acceptance," Edukasyon.ph, Henry shares. This only explains that Gen Z students need help all the more.

Read more: FEU Ranks 91st Most Innovative University in the WURI 2020 Global List

Topics