When I found out I would have to do university from halfway across the world, I was very excited about the experience. Turns out, it’s not as easy and exciting as I thought it would be!
I live in Dubai, UAE which is eight hours ahead of Canada, so when I’m attending my 3:00 PM class, it is midnight for me. (Daylight savings makes it worse lol). I stare at my computer for more than eight hours every day and I always need to keep my charger with me at all times at all times because my lectures, workshops, assignments, and quizzes drain both my battery and my energy daily. Staying up late at night to attend classes is considered disruptive to our biological clock, which ultimately leads to an unhealthy daily routine, affecting both our physical and mental health. It is also nearly impossible to stay focused on a class at night because, during the daytime, we also spend time staying connected to our social environment and life.
Another issue I’ve discovered is that because I live with my family and work from home, I have family responsibilities that require me to be awake during the day. I get up by noon at the latest, and my classes begin at 5:00 PM and last until 3:00 or 4:00 AM on some days. Then, if any schoolwork, homework, or quizzes are due, I get on track to complete them. Above all, I’m furious I’m still paying international tuition, which is almost three times Canadian tuition, despite getting the same online education as Canadians.
Hopefully, everything will be up and running from the fall semester and we can go back to an in-person environment. Working in a different time zone isn’t always too bad either. When I have friends working on an assignment that is due at 11:59 PM, mine is due eight hours later so even if I wake up early, I can still submit it before it’s due. And obviously, being at home has its own perks. I get to be around my family and get to experience the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!