Even if the lack of obligations "outside" tempts you to start the day late, or even to spend the whole day in bed, it is still important to give yourself a set of rules for the day in order to keep the brain active. We therefore recommend that you continue to maintain your normal daily routine.
In addition, try to do at least little things every day for your most important subjects (e.g. O-Prüfung, Bachelor/Master thesis, etc.). Constantly dealing with the subject helps you internalize the topics and not lose sight of them.
However, even outside of study topics, a regular daily routine (sleeping, eating and exercise times) helps you not lose your grip.

You can find more on this topic in this YouTube-Video (german), on the websites of the Studierendenwerk Karsruhe or the House of Competence.

An important part of your daily routine is also the morning self-care, in order to start the day awake and energetic. Even if you don't meet anyone all day, studies show that a certain well-groomed, external appearance significantly increases productivity. So dress as if you were going "to work" (meaning to the university). Relaxed clothing (sweatpants and hoodie) are tempting and comfortable, but at the same time ensure that the brain also switches to relaxation mode, which can make concentrated work much more difficult.

It has been proven that a spatial separation of work and living environment is important in order to enable an appropriate switch between concentration and relaxation phases. Even if most of you will probably not be able to change location completely in order to separate work and relaxation spatially, it still makes sense to create at least one special work area. For example, the kitchen or other common rooms in shared apartments or a separate (ideally spatially delimited) area, such as a desk, on which only work-relevant materials are located. A spatial demarcation can be created, for example, by an appropriately positioned shelf or other DIY barriers.

You can find more on this topic in these YouTube-Videos (german), on the MyHealth-Website by the KIT or at Offers and Help.

Make sure you get enough exercise and fresh air. To keep the brain busy, it is advisable to do at least 15 minutes of "sport" every day. For example, yoga or other body weight exercises are suitable for physical activity indoors. It is also important to ensure adequate ventilation. The air quality often quickly deteriorates, especially in small rooms. Regular ventilation helps against this. You should also make sure that you move from time to time during the working day. For example, it makes sense to get up and walk around at least every hour.

Professional instructions for a short "active break" can be found in this YouTube-Video (german) from the KIT.

Even with contact restrictions or in quarantine, it is important to relax regularly in order to give the brain time to regenerate. So plan some relaxation time every day in your routine. Especially at the end of the day, it is important to switch to relaxation mode so that a good sleep is possible. Because without adequate sleep, performance decreases sharply and thus leads to even less motivation and concentration.

Social interaction is important, especially when there is no direct human contact. Therefore, try to have regular contact with friends, relatives and other students. Online learning groups, in which you can spend the day and work together on tasks via internet telephony and, if possible, with video transmission, can be particularly worthwhile with regard to your course content. Social activities such as online gaming or video conversations with friends also help to balance relaxation.

More about online study groups in this YouTube-Video (german).

Keep up to date with official updates. This includes updates on exam dates, lectures in the new semester, organizational matters with regard to tutorials, etc. Also make sure that you (as far as possible) adapt the planning of your studies to the circumstances.

Keep an eye on your study planning. In this semester in particular, it is important that you plan exactly which courses you want to take and how many exams you want to write.

More about planning your studies can be found in these YouTube-Videos (german) or on Support during your Studies.

Cohesion and social commitment are particularly important in times like the present, and this commitment also looks good in your CV. What exactly you want to do is up to you. For example, there are tutoring offers for schoolchildren for which students are always wanted.
Help out in areas where every hand is needed at the moment: supermarkets, agriculture or - if you have completed the appropriate training - in the care sector.
You can also help by phone calls or letters to people who simply need someone to talk to.

First contact points for your social commitment:
   www.krisenhilfe.eu
   www.daslandhilft.de
   www.kahilft.de

The LernLABOR of the House of Competence (HoC) offers an open course for "learning to learn" on the ILIAS learning platform for all students at the KIT. If you want to improve your time and learning management or your memory performance, you will find a variety of tips and techniques there. Topics such as the design of the home learning space or strategies for dealing with procrastination are also presented in compact handouts. A list of different learning apps is included.

The learning advice serive and the learning partner exchange also help to activate one's own resources in the current situation.
More information is available here.

Active break:
Active breaks promote an active lifestyle, strengthen resources (e.g. motivation and well-being) and help to increase concentration and performance. Especially now in times of home office, they are suitable for breaking up the long sitting times.
More information is available here.

Sports offers:
In view of the ongoing situation due to the corona pandemic, there have long been numerous opportunities to move the daily dose of sport and exercise into your own four walls. After all, right now it is important to do something for your health and, for example, to strengthen the immune system through exercise. KIT's university sports department has also reacted to this. The Walk-In provides a wide and free online offering with numerous videos on fitness and training.
More information is available here.

In fact, the individually tailored design has an impact on health. It starts with the climate, goes through the orientation of the PC in relation to the window, to the height and distance of the table, monitor and chair. Long-term sitting in particular can lead to back problems, so it is important to regularly incorporate so-called sitting breaks or to create an opportunity to stand while studying.
Related brochure: deutsch/english.

The challenge in the current situation is. with increasing importance, to get out of the usual patterns. Here you will find exercises to shape everyday life differently and to perceive positive things.

The exercises do not provide tools for self-optimization, but rather offers to improve your self-reflection and self-determination.
They are kind of a challenge: an encouragement to try it out - in the middle of everyday life.
You can find the download here.

Much is in the process of changing.
The PerspektivenLABOR at the House of Competence offers students of all subjects the opportunity to become makers and designers of the world of tomorrow. In times of crisis management in particular, it is important to create a world in which new goals, values and needs can be realized.
The courses offered by PerspektivenLABOR promote self-determination and responsible action and offer space to combine one's own subject-related skills with human sensitivity, one's own identity and personal strength.
More information is available here.

Further offers (learning/writing advice, helpdesk) can be found at the HoC - House of Competence or on the MyHealth-Website.

 

• ISS - Informatik Studiengang Service: study counselling, extension applications, change of study plan, etc.
   
• Fachschaft Informatik: O-Phase, student consultation hours, old exams, etc.
   
• Forum Wirtschaftsinformatik: O-Phase, student office hours, etc.
   
• ZLB - Zentrum für Lehrerbildung: Resources for students of teacher education, etc.
   
• ZSB - Zentrale Studienberatung: Doubts about your studies, change of study programme / university, drop-out, etc.
   
• Studierendenwerk: BAföG, social counselling, foreign students, studying with disabilities, finding accommodation, etc.
   
• SCC - Steinbuch Centre for Computing: Help centre for technical problems, account registration, etc.
   
• KIT-Library: Study places, online catalogue, etc.
   
• KIT-Informatics-Library: Study places, literature, etc.
   
• ATIS - Abteilung Technische Infrastruktur: e-mail services, pool rooms, multimedia rooms, software provisioning

 

 

• Start to your studies at KIT
   
• MINT-Kolleg Baden-Württemberg: Pre-courses, semester courses, helpdesk, advanced courses
   
• HoC - House of Competence: Learning/Writing Advice, helpdesk
   
• ZML - Zentrum für Mediales Lernen: Study courses
   
• Living and Studying in Karlsruhe: Information about Karlsruhe and the KIT

 

 

• ISS - Informatik Studiengangservice:Time and exchange Studies, Erasmus
   
• IStO - International Students Office: Consulting, support, guidance, integration measures
   
• IESN - International Erasmus Student Network Karlsruhe
   
• International Student Center: Social counselling, foreign students, studying with disabilities, finding accommodation, etc.
   
• Studienstart International: Welcome events, information offers, campus consultation hours, etc.
   
• Studienstart International - Information on ILIAS
   
• International Buddy-Program: International encounters, orientation at the new place of study, internationalisation at home
   
• Coordination office for refugees and migrants: Personal consultation hours, information evenings, integration measures
   
• Foreigners' Authority of the city of Karlsruhe: Residence permit, electronic residence title (eAT), establishment permit
   
• The ABC of KIT: English glossary for the translation of technical terms

 

 

• AStA - Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss: Social counselling, equal opportunities, queer counselling
   
• PBS - Psychotherapeutische Beratungsstelle: Stress, exam nerves, loneliness
   
• BBC - Representative for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses
   
• ACCESS∂KIT - Center for Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technology
   
• Nightline Karlsruhe: Helpline by students for students with personal problems
   
• Telefonseelsorge: Helpline for students with personal problems
   
• Career-Service: Career entry, internship search, career advice
   
• AKK - Arbeitskreis Kultur und Kommunikation: General cultural events, calendar of events, workshops
   
• Z10: Bar, board games, etc.
   
• University sports at KIT
   
• Information about finding accommodation in Karlsruhe:
  • International Students Office (students)
  • International Students Office (scientists)
  • International Student Center