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Students in Quarantine: A Photo Project, Part 3
Andrey Loganov / © Denis Mareyno
To do the interviews, Denis contacted respondents on Zoom, and did the photo shoots over FaceTime. If you want to participate in the project, send a message via VK.
Andrey Loganov, third-year student of Media Communications
What have you learned from being in self-isolation?
In addition to coming to understand just how uncomfortable being in closed quarters is, I realized the importance of getting enough sleeping. I sleep a lot and wake up late. But I feel so much better than before.
I’ve also learned that remote communication is not that bad, and sometimes, it is very convenient, particularly because it is sometimes difficult to bring people together offline. But when everyone is at home and at their computers, it is much easier to organize an online meeting.
Has the number of hours that you are active changed?
Yes. And there are now less of them. I’m not the kind of person who enjoys working from home. I need a change of atmosphere to be active. I can sit and do my homework, but if I have things to do that are less important, I may put them off. At home I have a bed and a computer where I get stuck. I don’t like to work in these conditions, so my activity is much lower than before quarantine.
I try to motivate myself. There are things that I’m willing to do, such as things related to our student video production. I’m interested in it, and I’m ready to keep doing it actively throughout the day. And there are things that I’m not as willing to do, such as to attend boring online lectures. In this case, the motivating factor is my grades.
How have your studies changed with the transition to online learning?
On the one hand, it is more convenient now. I make more effective use of my time, since I don’t have to waste it on commuting to and from the university every day. Now, I can sleep longer or, on the contrary, wake up earlier, so that I have time to do something before I turn on the computer and listen to lectures for class, and this is convenient. There is not much of a difference between getting an assignment in class versus from the screen, like we do today.
On the other hand, it is still difficult to follow the deadlines, since it is still getting organized, and a lot of things are still somewhat unclear. We solve this problem with group deadlines on the HSE App. Overall, my studies have become much more convenient.
What challenges have you encountered with the transition?
Honestly, none. If I need to contact a teacher, I do the same thing I used to do previously: I write them an email. And it still takes them a hundred years to answer. The only thing that may inconvenience me is a surprise class at 10 am, but besides this, I can’t think of anything else.
How has your work changed?
I used to be a freelance worker before the isolation. It was not often, but I had some work occasionally. Now, I have nothing at all. I’m looking for work on Telegram channels, but I can’t find any suitable vacancies. I have been looking every day for a week. But there is nothing. There is some other work, but it is something I’m simply unable to do. Now, I have no work.
How has your communication with other people changed, and particularly, with those whom you are isolating together wtih?
I’m in isolation at home with my family. We now talk more, because everyone is at home. We used to see each other only in the evenings. I rarely saw them in the morning, because they would leave earlier. And at night, we did almost no talking.
On the one hand, you get a little tired of each other, because all of a sudden there is too much communication, but on the other hand, it is good, because everyone is here, and you can leave your room and talk to someone any time.
It hasn’t changed a lot with my friends. Before, we could go out to a bar, a café, or somewhere else. Now, we don’t have that option. It is impossible even to simply meet each other, since you can’t get a permit to visit a friend. We now communicate online. Probably, this is also good, because you don’t have to travel anywhere and get more spare time. I have started talking to people more.
Do you feel comfortable staying at home all the time? How are you dealing with it?
Patience. It is key. I remind myself that I don’t have any other options. It’s a responsibility, and not only for yourself: it is not that scary to get sick if you break the quarantine. But I live together with my parents for whom the virus might be more dangerous.
I understand this is a temporary necessity. The best thing I can do is to take a walk around my block in the evening alone wearing a mask. Of course, I miss movement, space, and new experiences.
What will be the first thing you will do after the limitations on travel around the city, the country, and the world are removed?
I would like to say something inspirational, but I’ll be honest. I’ll go to a bar with my friends to celebrate. This will be a holiday not only for me, but for the whole world.
I can’t say I’m suffering. I know there are millions of sick people around the world, they are suffering and dying. This is a really hard time. But later, we will be celebrating with the whole world and be happy that it’s over.