"Set many alarms and return to a normal school day routine"

How is studying remotely going?

It’s working out pretty well – of course it's a little slow some days, but I'm starting to get into it now.

What are the pros and cons with remote learning?

One advantage is that you can wake up much later, and have breakfast while you are at the lecture. The disadvantage is that you can’t meet as many people and have as many physical meetings. Perhaps it can also be harder to get help immediately, but you can always email.

What does your typical day look like?

I try to get up early, but it's a little harder when you don't have any time pressure. The day starts with me reading a little on my own and doing some assignments, then we have online lectures through Zoom. Then I sit and watch as the lecturer goes through different things via the phone or computer. I usually sit at the computer, because it’s easier to take notes about what the lecturer writes on the whiteboard, for example.

I usually study until four or five in the afternoon, then I try to go out for a walk or to the gym, to kill the time in some way. And I have started to cook much better food, because there is much more time left over now.

What does your social life look like?

Well, it still exists, with me and some friends – classmates – hanging out together. It is the same people who socialise, so we are not interacting with too many people.

Is there anything that worries you?

Personally, I don't worry about my studies or anything, but I don't want to go home, because my mother has asthma. That is mainly what I miss, not being able to meet my parents for a while. But we have virtual meetups instead.

What do you miss most about being on campus?

The aura, the feeling of people and being able to talk to anyone. Simply talking in the usual way – face to face – instead of digitally.

Do you have any good tips for others?

My best tips for studying at home are to set many alarm clocks and try to return to a normal school day routine, even though you are at home.

What’s the first thing you will do when campus opens again?

The first thing I will do is to sit in the "bunker", which is way down in the basement of the MIT Building. We normally spend many hours there.