University of Helsinki
Yet another Zoom meeting…
Enlivened by the fact that it is actually a Teams meeting…
And I don’t know how to use Teams…
Oh, look, Teams/Zoom/delete as appropriate has crashed!
Again! Like it did all the other times!
What joy!
I haven’t seen a lot of people face to face for what seems like several centuries.
I’m starting to feel like a very a-social social scientist…
So much for my fieldwork…
Interviews? On Skype? Are you kidding?
I am sooooo over 2020…
But 2021 looks like it will be much the same… Great!
Am I actually IN a university? Or what is it I am in? (Apart from constantly being in this apartment?)
What should I read to improve my mind? Will I finally pick up that Big Important Book that has been sitting on the shelf, unread and unloved, for the last 3 years?
Will this damn pandemic ever end???
Dear doctoral students,
In the vignette above, have we at all captured some of your thoughts over the last 12 months?
We have certainly captured some of our own.
As your teachers and supervisors in the Doctoral programme of Social Sciences, we want to reach out to you with this newsletter, to provide some hopefully useful thoughts to help you cope with the difficult times we are all facing during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
While we already have some good news about vaccinations, restrictions still remain in force for some time so that academic and social life will continue to be largely online. It is certainly a long wait.
So, if you are feeling down, unmotivated, physically or emotionally exhausted, don’t be surprised. All of us – from early career scholars through to senior professors – are feeling the strain.
Here are some thoughts to help us all manage through the continuing shutdown…
WHAT WE OFFER YOU
Social Sciences Friday Afternoon Coffee Breaks
You are most welcome to join the Friday afternoon coffee breaks organized approximately twice a month. It’s a chance to meet your fellow PhD students from the three doctoral programmes of the faculty as well as the planning officer Tuuli Holttinen. There is usually a general theme to inspire discussion in small groups, but you are welcome to share whatever is on your mind. You can also suggest a theme by contacting Tuuli. The next coffee breaks are organized on Fridays 12 March, 26 March, 9 April and 23 April from 2 pm to 3:30 pm.
We use the same Zoom link on every coffee break. (Meeting ID: 683 9820 0406 Passcode: 429326)
HYMY Writing Evenings
Do you sometimes feel alone in the academia? Are you interested in communal writing or looking for an academic community inside the university? Would you like to share your experiences, ideas and questions with others who are in a similar situation?
Turn on, tune in and join HYMY writing evenings! Meet researchers from other disciplines and become part of a community by joining us in the weekly HYMY writing evenings.
Writing evenings are open to all University of Helsinki doctoral students regardless of faculty or position. The aim of our meetings is to come together to work on your own projects and share your ideas and concerns during the writing breaks.
• In English: Every Wednesday from 4 pm to 7 pm. (Helsinki time UTC +2 h) from March 10 onwards. Fill out the form in the link.
• In Finnish: Every Thursday from 4 pm to 7 pm. Register here.
Carefree Shoulders by Unisport on Zoom
UniSport offers Carefree Shoulders break exercise sessions over Zoom. Carefree shoulders is a refreshing 15-minute guided workout that relieves tension and focuses specifically on the back and shoulder area. These sessions are free and open to all!
• on Mondays at 12.00
• on Wednesdays at 13.00
• on Fridays at 11.00
Carefree Shoulders is suitable for everyone. Participate wherever you want! You do not need to reserve a place for this session. Zoom allows 500 participants. You also don’t need exercise equipment or clothing. You can participate in the Zoom event with Meeting ID 861 9709 5476. You will find the link on the Carefree Shoulders page and on the group exercise
schedule.
Contact information
If you have questions or concerns regarding your doctoral education, you can always contact the planning officer of the programme, Tuuli Holttinen (tuuli.holttinen@helsinki.fi). However, questions regarding study rights and the examination of doctoral theses should be addressed to the training officers of the faculty, valt-postgrad@helsinki.fi. The HYMY doctoral school is in charge of organizing transferable skills courses as well as travel grant calls, so if you have questions about these, please contact hymy-doc@helsinki.fi.
Above all, do not hesitate to contact your supervisors if you feel you need more guidance and support than in normal times. We all do!
STAY CONNECTED!
Stay in touch with other people via social media, e-mail, or call them regularly. You can also arrange group video calls with your friends or family, play online games together or set up a book club to discuss books every month. During the coronavirus pandemic many of us experience feelings of insecurity and loneliness, so do not be afraid to acknowledge your emotions while talking to your friends or family – you may find they are feeling the same way.
TRY TO GET INTO A ROUTINE
For many people, having a daily routine can be extremely beneficial for both their physical and mental wellbeing. If you have been spending most of your time at home during the pandemic, chances are that you already have a routine of daily activities. As the Spring term progresses, it may be helpful to reconsider what worked and what could be changed so your days are more enjoyable and you have more time for yourself. Try going to sleep and waking
up on a set schedule not only throughout the week but also during weekends. Set clear boundaries between the time you commit to your academics and leisure. This can increase your productivity and reduce stress in your personal life, preventing burnout.
TRY TO GO OUTSIDE
We all know the Helsinki weather can be cold and windy but try to incorporate daily walks or exercise outside into your routine as much as possible. Use this opportunity to breathe some fresh air between classes or start your day with a walk while listening to a podcast or favourite song. Walking is not only relaxing but comes with a multitude of health benefits, including increased immunity and lower risk of heart diseases in the future. Walking may also improve your mood, help clear your head, and accelerate your creative thinking.
SEARCH ONLINE FOR ACTIVITIES
The idea of yet another Zoom meeting may seem unappealing, but several activities are now being run online – from yoga to language classes – there is a wealth of knowledge and experiences available to you online and delivered from all over the world. While the pandemic limits the choice of in-person activities, online opportunities are getting increasingly sophisticated, and many of them are free! Try to view this time as an unusual experience, that might have some unexpected benefits.
TRY NOT BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF
Do not ignore how you are feeling. Your feelings are totally valid, and it is normal to feel anxious and demotivated. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we experience more stress than we realise, and there is no right or wrong way to feel about the Coronavirus situation, and its effects on your life. Always prioritise yourself and your wellbeing, and do not be afraid to
reach out for help to a friend or a professional.
SERVICES
These services are here for you:
• Suomen Mielenterveys ry (Mieli ry)
• Crisis lines in various languages
• Finnish mental health support services
• Seeking help (THL/Finnish institute for health and welfare)
University chaplains are there for all members of the university community regardless of their faith and convictions (see also Flamma):
• Leena Huovinen, leena.huovinen@evl.fi, 050 3019613, Messenger, IG: leenahuovinen
• Andreas Lundgren, andreas.lundgren@evl.fi, 050 380 0662, IG: studentprästen (for Swedish-speaking UH members)
Take very good care of yourself, and stay in touch!
The Steering Committee of the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences
Johanna Sumiala
Kris Clarke
David Inglis
Anna-Maija Pirttilä-Backman
Ilkka Pietilä
Mikko Myrskylä
Sirpa Tenhunen
Keshia Dsilva
Jenni Savonen
and planning officer Tuuli Holttinen