Online Workshop on Time Management and Study Strategies during Lockdown

BY: .

Academic Development Officer (ADO) in the School of Management, IT and Governance, Mr Simangaliso Bayabonga Zulu facilitated an online educational workshop on time management and study strategies.

Organised in collaboration with the College of Law and Management Studies’ Student Support Services, the goal of the workshop was to equip student participants with a guide to effective time and stress management.

The lockdown, introduced in South Africa and many other countries in the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic, has presented numerous difficulties for students with the shift to online learning a challenging transition for many.

Workshop organisers hoped to bridge the gap through enhancing learning and exam preparation.

‘Exams often cause anxiety,’ said Zulu. ‘Students are under pressure to study and do well either by their lecturers or their peers. The workshop provided students with knowledge and skills on how to access resources and materials online during lockdown, emphasising the importance of rising above circumstances being experienced because of the pandemic.’

The Student Support Services Unit plays a critical role in enhancing the wellness, holistic growth and development of students as well as providing constructive help to support them as they navigate their way on their academic journeys. ‘It was important that we collaborated with them in this workshop as they are the experts in the field,’ added Zulu.

Student counsellors on the Westville campus, Ms Claire Mondlana and Ms Cebisile Kubeka provided the students with tools to help them cope with the distractions of being at home and are offering one-on-one sessions for anyone battling to keep up with the challenges of online learning. Also, Victor Faniran, the ADO of the Information Systems and Technology department, provided the students with study strategies, skills and tips during lockdown, with a central emphasis on technology-aided studying. ‘Technology may aid your studying but not improve your attitude,’ Victor emphasised.

‘I have a strong passion for contributing to society in and outside of university,’ said Zulu. ‘Assisting and sharing study tips and techniques with students warms my heart and gives me a sense of achievement,’ he added.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

Photographs: Supplied