Back to Uni: Our tips for studying during a pandemic

Tertiary study at university or a vocational college (TAFE, VET) is exciting and challenging enough, but the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has changed learning for us all over again.

Every university is aiming to put on as many face-to-face classes as they can safely handle. On campus, you’ll find every institution has its own mix of the usual protocols: thermal reading, face masks, hand sanitisers, QR check-ins, desk wiping, reduced capacity rooms, reduced capacity buses, and so on. All of this can make the online learning experience much more appealing and many universities are serious about providing a high quality learning experience virtually, so it can be a good option. But beware! Remote learning can put an unexpected burden on any uni student, so here are my handy tips for study during Covid-19.

(You can find out more about the government’s pandemic safety protocols here).

Studying on campus

Apart from the movable feast of restrictions, protocols and sudden local lockdowns, it is important to note that things are looking up! COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out and public health administrators are more experienced than this time last year. Your course may require hybrid campus/online classes, but they are handling these better. You may even get to enjoy more access to campus resources than you expected, so make the most of a quieter library or lab. In fact, the edge for campus life is access, so don’t take that for granted.

Practical skills (praxis) in your field may make all the difference. If you have to skip a class, it shouldn’t be a lab class! Some hands-on activities are best experienced in-person and then backed-up with text study, so if you have the chance to join a field trip don’t miss it. Step up, use the gear at demonstrations and talk to industry practitioners. Remote learning platforms have skewed the class experience to mainly talks and visual presentations, but the chance to get hands-on experience is vital, especially in the hard sciences. You may not have the gear or opportunity at home, and many outside placements have reduced for the time being.

Sharing the campus space in times of COVID-19 is an exercise in mindfulness and vigilance. You will have to wipe down desks, and allow space for people to pass, etc. But it is also an opportunity for a considerate community to develop.

You can find more specific information for your university’s COVID-19 protocols online, so make sure you check it out. 

Studying online

If you are studying online fully, or in a hybrid ‘blended’ class, you need to be ready. The problems you face may range from technical (internet dropouts, file-sharing incompatibility, programs, etc.) and ergonomic (check your desk and chair are suitable for long time study), to the personal (trouble with socially adapting, time management, self-motivation).

It may be worth checking on any required IT licences, portal passwords or support services before you find that a virtual platform won’t let you in just as class starts. Is your Wi-Fi up to it? What about your ISP deal? Your course may require you to learn new programs (eg, SPSS, Matlab) that your gear won’t support – it may be time to make a tech upgrade! Look around for student deals before you do – sites like Unidays have partnered with some tech companies for great discounts. Some universities are even partnering with specialist digital education providers that promise to get around many platform compatibility issues so you should be okay, but stay alert to the information they provide you. Your university will have its own online support hub, so check that out early. Remember that they want you to succeed so they are keen to help!

Make your workspace work for you

Make sure you have a dedicated workable place at home to study that allows efficient and ergonomic use of your books and laptop. If you are working long hours there, it should be comfortable and supportive of that work. Remove or reduce distractions (yes, that means your smartphone). Prepare your attitude so that you are ready to work with focus and confidence. Procrastination is your enemy so beware! Online learning may tempt you to doze through the class, thinking you can catch up by rerun, but it is best to be there and engage live, asking questions and chatting for clarification. In a big zoom session, make your voice heard if you can. Be mindful that it is important to be visible and interacting will ensure you get the most out of e-learning. The chance is now, not later. Good habits will win, so cultivate them early and be disciplined.

If you feel isolated, check out any recommended forums or webinars for that social learning experience. Join a club! Forming a wide circle of friends is perfect. Make reminders to keep in touch, not just with your fellow students, but with your global village of colleagues. You aren’t as alone as you may think. Some of your fellow students might even be local to you. Remember: your health is very important to success so set yourself up for optimal study (and sanity), and set regular breaks. If you need to reach out for help, your university will have helpful contacts and resources on their student hub. You may have to seek help yourself but people are helpful, so go and ask!

It was always true of university learning that you are in charge of your study, but online or blended learning is emphasising this. Stay adaptable, informed and engaged and you will likely build exceptional strengths and skills! Resilience is always a valuable trait.

Buying your textbooks

Before purchasing textbooks, make sure you’re buying the correct book by checking the edition, author and especially the ISBN, against the course booklist (and the best source of your booklist is your lecturer). In cases where the book comes with an access code (to extra materials on websites, etc), and this is required, be careful to get the right one. Many universities use similar-looking (but different!) packages of the same textbook with different codes. These access codes cannot be shared or reused in second-hand copies.

What are the textbook types on the booklist and do you need them?

Prescribed textbooks are those that your lecturer deems essential for your successful study of that course. Your lecturer expects you to have a copy.

Recommended textbooks are those that further develop the study of the course and complement your prescribed textbooks. You probably should access these sometime during your study to help you stay ahead.

Reference textbooks are often mentioned within the course and may be the source material that forms the core of the unit. You don’t need to buy a copy, but they are worth checking out. Your library may keep limited copies but you may have to wait to access it.

eBook or print?

The growth of remote learning has seen a rise in the use of eBooks. They can be instantly downloaded and may be cheaper than print (in some cases), but be sure to see if they will fit your needs. You are often prohibited from bringing eBooks to open book exams, and some of the indexing and visual features may be easier with print copies. It’s best to check that they are compatible with your preferred device(s) before you pay and download, as you may be limiting your access. Some textbook suppliers actually bundle the eBook (or an e-study tool) and the print edition together in economical deals, so look around before you buy.

In a world where COVID-19 has disrupted international freight, some books face import challenges and there will be delays. We are working with our many suppliers to keep up-to-date on any shipping delays, but would advise you to get your books early in case of supply issues. If you procrastinate, you may have to wait weeks for a reprint (or longer, in these days of COVID-19).

Booktopia is the number one tertiary book retailer in Australia, holding more than 150,000 books in stock, ready to ship to customers across Australia and New Zealand. Our specialist academic team works to ensure that an extensive range of titles are in stock and ready to fulfil the needs of students and institutions across Australia.

Students can search by course code, course, ISBN and title with our Textbook Finder or browse our textbook section. But of course, Booktopia sells more than textbooks!

To ace your university study, and be an effective professional, you need to be a good researcher, critical thinker and communicator. You will need a good memory, and know how to write and cite sources. We have a huge range of helpful guides for all study skills and subjects so be sure to check them out here.

Here are four great books to help you to succeed!

Think Critically by Tom Chatfield

This book is part of the excellent Super Quick Skills series, specially designed to help you succeed at university – fast. Written by Tom Chatfield, a bestselling expert on critical thinking, it gives you simple, direct guidance on how to effectively assess and critique information, understand the nature of assumptions and claims, handle valid and invalid arguments and weigh evidence. Perfect for students who seek practical skills and confidence in reading, writing and doing research.

Buy it here

Online Learning for Dummies by Susan Manning and Kevin E. Johnson

This book is your friendly guide to the fast-growing possibilities of the virtual classroom world, from mastering the software to polishing up your online communication and study skills.

Buy it here

Memory Craft by Lynne Kelly

Introducing the best memory techniques humans have ever devised, from ancient times and the Middle Ages to methods used by today’s memory athletes. Lynne Kelly has tested all these methods in experiments which demonstrate the extraordinary capacity of our brains at any age. Great for anyone who needs to memorise a speech or a play script, learn anatomy or a foreign language, or prepare for an exam.

Buy it here

The Little Pearson Handbook by Lester Faigley, Michael Carey, and Gabriella Munoz

A powerhouse of a book, specifically edited for Australian students, this will show you the academic writing and research processes relevant to most current Harvard, APA, MLA and CMS citation, documentation and style guidelines. It works across disciplines, including education, business, nursing, science and healthcare!

Buy it here

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About the Contributor

Robert O'Hearn

Robert O'Hearn is the non-fiction specialist at Booktopia HQ. He has been a bookseller for over three decades and can't seem to stop. He is an aspiring apiarist and likes playing Joy Division songs on mandolin. He is generally harmless.

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