Stay connected during Corona
This page provides you with interesting activities and challenges to keep you active and entertained during the Corona crisis.
Tips and tricks for online studying
Prepare on time
In an online education environment, tutorials, lectures and meetings take place online. Check what software you need, and make time to install and test it before a lecture or tutorial begins.
Find your own routine
Create a study planning that accommodates your needs and interests. Organise your days so that you have time to study and time to relax.
Stay positive
We are all in this together and we can only make this happen together. Teaching staff has had very little time to adapt to online learning. Some things may work perfectly while others not. Offer feedback in a respectful and constructive manner that will enable all of us to grow together.
Share information
Studying from home doesn’t mean studying alone! Share resources and experiences with your fellow classmates. Set up online hangouts and exchange information. The library is also offering lots of online help regarding educational material online.
Take care of yourself
Your physical and mental health is top priority. Keep at least 1,5m distance from others when out in public to protect yourself and those around you.If you experience any psychological difficulties, there are many ways that UM can support you. You can book an online appointment with the UM psychologists, attend a wellbeing workshop online, or explore resources on Student Wellbeing Overview.
Remain up to date
All official information and updates are online. Please check the UM website, FAQs and your personal email account regularly. For updates regarding COVID-19 measures in the Netherlands consult rivm.nl
Gratefulness and positive vibes
- Think of one thing you’re grateful for today and write it down
- Take a few moments to focus
- Sit down
- Close your eyes and say out loud what it is you’re grateful for
- Check your body for sensations (warmth, sparkles, heaviness)
- Where do you sense these in your body? And how does it feel?
- Maybe you can see a color or a shape? What color or shape? What does it mean to you?
- Maybe you can smell a nice fragrance? What is it and what does it remind you of?
- Take all the time you need to completely “grab” this sensation
- Open your eyes
- Write down what you experienced in a few words
- If you talk to a friend or relative, ask them what they are grateful for today
- Share what you’ve experienced if you feel like it, with them or us
Video challenge: MSP at home
It would be great to see and hear from students how scientific phenomena continue to occur in our homes even during this corona crises. You can make a short video and upload it to the following form: https://forms.gle/zTJcfMpPYV2ySxAA7 (deadline: 10 April) and the three best videos will be rewarded with a Bread and More voucher on your arrival back in Maastricht.
We would love to share these videos on the MSP instagram page to show how the MSP community continue to be passionate about science even when we can’t make it to lecture halls, labs or tutorial rooms.
I made a mini documentary with Sir David Attenborough about the biodiversity in my garden and where I might find new species. Stay safe!
- Alex (former student and current biology tutor)
Calm body and mind with square breathing
Below a little breathing exercise to help calm the body and mind at any time. It’s called “square breathing”:
Close your eyes and visualize your breath traveling along a square. As you follow the instructions to inhale, hold your breath, or exhale, count slowly to four on each side. Solely breathe through your nose, not your mouth. Try it now.
- Inhale up the first side of the square. Slowly count 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
- Hold your breath across the top. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
- Exhale down the other side of the square. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
- Then hold your breath across the bottom. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
After a few minutes of this you should be feeling calmer and more centered.
