Loss of perspective

| Lisa Waldera

Lisa Waldera (24) is a master’s student Communication Studies from Bremen, Germany. For three years now, she’s been living on campus. Next to her study, she regularly visits the cinema and enjoys concerts of all music genres. Every other week she writes about her life at the University of Twente.

Photo by: Annabel Jeuring

Day 76. Tomorrow it is exactly 11 weeks since the intelligent lockdown came into effect. I received an email last week. One sentence in that email really resonated with me. The crisis takes a toll on all of us in different ways. Nothing too extraordinary in times like these. I understand that the crisis was and is taking a toll on some people who are struggling with losing their jobs or mental health issues. But I am not diagnosed with any mental disorder and I also still have my job. Writing columns. Everything fine.

When reading it a second time, I noticed that the sentence actually says something different though. Not some people are affected and some are not. Instead it is taking a toll on literally everyone. The consequences become clearer every day. At first, I was relieved to gain a lot of study time without any distractions. But a lot of students who just graduated deal with the fact there are no jobs available. Closed office buildings. Declining economy. Closed public toilets. Which could be a real bummer in certain situations.

Facing the fact that I will graduate during the corona crisis is changing any future plans I had before. Emigrating to another country will not be an option for a long time. Saving the turtles. Backpacking in Australia. Typical student things. Keeping your goal in mind is crucial when struggling to find new motivation. Of course, the world is not ending. This is temporary. I know that eventually I can reach all my goals.

Still, the greatest toll I am facing as a student who is nearly graduating is the loss of perspective. I have worked hard for the past years to finally get to the point of handing in my master thesis. But what’s next? Meanwhile, I have to think about the bigger picture. The overall prognoses are positive. Less IC intakes. Less deaths. The measures are having the intended effects. The bars and cafés will be open this weekend. Cinemas and theatres are welcoming a few people again. These should be reasons to celebrate. With no more than three people and social distancing of course.

Recommended

  • EN
  • NL

De ondergrondse campus

Speciaal voor de kersverse eerstejaars onthult columnist Hiska Bakker een bijzonder campusgeheim. 'Alleen een klein groepje ingewijden weet dit. Aan hen de taak om anderen in veiligheid te brengen als dat nodig is. Afgestudeerd of een baan elders? Dan wordt een opvolger gezocht.'
  • EN
  • NL

The underground campus

Columnist Hiska Bakker reveals a special campus secret for our brand-new freshmen. 'Only a small group of insiders knows this. It’s their job to get others to safety should the need arise. Did someone graduate or find a job elsewhere? Then they look for a successor.'
  • EN
  • NL

Ontspoorde doctor

De column van Wiendelt Steenbergen uit het meest recente Campus Magazine, over rechten en plichten die komen kijken bij een doctorstitel. 'Stel nu dat iemand die aan de Universiteit Twente gepromoveerd is later het eerder uitgesproken vertrouwen overduidelijk beschaamt...'
  • EN
  • NL

Wayward doctor

Wiendelt Steenbergen's column from the latest Campus Magazine, on rights and duties that come with a doctoral degree. 'Suppose that someone who got their PhD at the University of Twente blatantly betrays the trust...'
  • EN
  • NL

Tinky Winky en seks

Vanuit Enschede fiets ik de campus op door het Pinetum. Een van mijn meest favoriete plekken: een glooiend landschap met een verzameling coniferen uit alle continenten en een slingerend fietspad dat van de drukke Hengelosestraat naar het autoluwe terrein van de uni voert. Een krachtige lentezon maakt het gras felgroen. En opeens denk ik aan Po, Laa-laa, Dipsy en Tinky Winky.
  • EN
  • NL

Tinky Winky and sex

I’m cycling from Enschede towards campus through the Pinetum. One of my all-time favourite places: a rolling landscape with a collection of conifers from all continents and a winding bike path that leads from the busy Hengelosestraat to the university’s almost car-free grounds. A powerful spring sun colours the grass bright green. And suddenly, Po, Laa-laa, Dipsy and Tinky Winky come to mind. The Teletubbies.
  • EN
  • NL

Playing in times of crisis

Is life a game? Or is it deadly serious? Take, for example, student pranks that are sometimes dismissed as being frivolous or even inappropriate in our time of all sorts of crises. Think of students walking around with a big wooden mallet slung over their shoulder for days during the introduction. Or with a pink tutu over their trousers. The artwork The Head suddenly wearing a tie. Or practical jokes by colleagues.
  • EN
  • NL

Spelen in crisistijd

Is het leven een spel? Of is het bittere ernst? Neem nu studentengrappen die soms worden veroordeeld als lichtzinnig of zelfs ongepast in onze tijd van allerlei crises. Studenten bijvoorbeeld die tijdens de introductie dagenlang rondlopen met een grote houten hamer over de schouder. Of met een roze tutu over hun broek. Kunstwerk The Head dat opeens een stropdas draagt. Of practical jokes van collega’s.

Stay tuned

Sign up for our weekly newsletter.