Tufts Blogs

It's been about 6 months since I left the Tufts campus, and officially began studying from home in Singapore. The transition definitely has not been the easiest, for someone who loves the outdoor and alone time as much as me, but spending time at home comes with its own benefits (and not so great stuff... read on below!) To my friends back on campus: I miss y'all and can only hope to give you guys big hugs when we see each other again :') (and when it's safe!).

Rose: (Stuff that is going well)

Let's talk about the pros. It isn't everyday that you get to set your own sleep schedule and study at a pace that suits you. Online classes have been a great help in allowing me to aggressively set new, healthier sleep schedules, although I admit that I sometimes do fall off (sorry mom...). Besides that, I've noticed that I'm slightly more productive from being able to study without distractions (something that was not always the case on campus, because there're a ton of fun events going on), and that I'm able to spend my free time on things that really matter to me. 

On a more personal note, I've really learnt to enjoy cold showers (no cap). There's just something about coolness of the water on a 35 degrees Celsius (or 95 Fahrenheit) day that cannot be explained (yes the heat is horrendous). I've also realized that it helps stave off the tired feelings that I get in the morning, which has helped me focus on clearing my tasks for the day. 

Bud: (Stuff you're looking forward to)

I'm definitely looking forward to meeting my friends in Singapore more often. That wasn't a possibility during March to June because of a 'circuit breaker' that was enforced to prevent people frolm meeting up due to safety concerns. 

I wouldn't be painting the whole story if I didn't say that I miss Singaporean food. Despite not being someone that eats spicy, I had my first McSpicy when I came back and was hooked onto it, much to my mom's disappointment at my new eating habits (sorry mom..). There's just a huge variety of Singaporean food that it would take too long to describe all of them, so I'll leave a great article on this.

Thorn: (Stuff going not as great)

As mentioned in Cesar's post, the lack of boundaries between school and home can be rather stressful at times. It's been easy for all of us to cognitively associate home as a separate location from school, and when the two combine, it becomes difficult to relax or work. Distractions abound, but motivation is always found wanting. While I've definitely created a routine to maintain a semblance of sanity, it just doesn't feel the same as studying on campus. If this is how you feel, don't worry! We're all in this together, and have been finding our own methods to cope. 

If there's one thing I'm grateful for, however, it'll be that I'm studying with family. Some students haven't been able to go home, and have to deal with homesickness. If there's one thing anyone needs right now in this uncertain time, it would be the comfort of being with your loved ones. For those in this position, I hope you'll find a way to cope, and that you'll reach out to your fellow Jumbos! We're always here for you. :)