Being off school for a few months may sound like a dream come true at first, but within a week, many of you may be beginning to feel the boredom creep in. We are currently in a challenging situation and some students may struggle to make the most of their time during the lockdown.

If you are not sure about what you can do in this lockdown, then think outside the box and set yourself some realistic and measurable goals. Consider your long-term goal - you want to become a doctor (for example). There are various hurdles you will need to go through to get into medical school; many of which can be worked on during this lockdown! Now is a really good time to crack on with UCAT/BMAT preparation, while also beginning your UCAS process and writing your personal statement.

Even though many exams are cancelled, it is important that you still utilise this time wisely to maximise your chances of getting into Medical School. I believe it is still incredibly important to keep on top of your studies, although it’s also an amazing opportunity to try something new! Have you always wanted to play a musical instrument, but never had the time? Well now you do! 

You should also look into making a timetable for your studies and your other goals that you may have during this lockdown. This way, not only only will it enable you to be more organised, but it will also significantly enhance your time management skills, which will undoubtedly alleviate any stress you may be feeling in the context of your exams. Don’t forget to take breaks if you feel like you don’t want to do anything for a little while, that’s absolutely fine. However you don’t want to look back, further down the line and feel like you wasted this time as it is possible that you could easily deteriorate and fall into the trap of sitting in front of the TV all day or scrolling on your phones! 

If you are in sixth form, and vaguely know where you want to apply, this is the best time to begin your preparation for your admissions test and start planning your personal statement, as both of these take a lot of time to prepare. There are so many resources on the internet for this, and so many practice questions banks for the admissions test. You should also look into the different universities you could apply to, is the style of teaching one you will enjoy? Will you enjoy the city? These are considerations which you have plenty of time to ponder on now, make the most of it!

While keeping on top of your studies, it is also important you stay active and set at least an hour a day aside to do some exercise, or any physical activity you find enjoyable. Even though gyms may be closed, you can still have a wonder around your neighborhood or a park near you, which gives you an excellent opportunity to get some fresh air, clear your mind, and come back refreshed!