In the second week of March, the government of Pakistan announced the countrywide lockdown which inevitably put a halt on the education system in Pakistan. Since then, all universities and medical colleges are conducting online classes.

All the academic institutions were not prepared for such a drastic change. Although, the internet has been around for decades yet no university in Pakistan has really utilized this portal for study purposes. That's why initially there was a lot of fuss about the efficiency of online classes. With the help of education ministry, they were able to somehow manage to conduct online classes on a regular basis.

Amidst all these circumstances, students are in continuous turmoil. They are under a huge burden of online classes, assignments, research projects, and online exams. The online classes lack clarity and fieldwork. The resources are scarce. Also, majority of the households are not convenient for studies. Homes are not conducive for studies, it's the reason why the majority of university students prefer residing in hostels.

In this state of affairs, it is important to address the burden we are putting on our students in this pandemic. The university students and medical students are emotionally and mentally drained from all the inconveniences they are facing. Here are some tips for students to unload their baggage:

• Find a 'me spot'

To study better it is really important to find a quiet place where you can concentrate easily to study effectively.

• Improvise your management skills

Categorize your subjects as per credit hours and difficulty i.e. allocate more time for difficult subjects. Mark calendar for due assignments. Organize all your notes and books and make them available as per need.

• Connect with your teaching faculty

Do not hesitate to talk to your teachers. Do not forget that even in these circumstances, it is important for you to achieve clarity for all of your subjects.

• Talk to your classmates more often

Talk to your classmates regularly, reach out to them. They may be facing more difficulty than you. Help them out or seek help. It is important to act as a team.

Lastly, take a good nap, eat well, and exercise at least 3 days a week. It will help you get through these stressful times.