Hello Everyone!
I’m Margarita – but everyone calls me Meg. I’m an MBA student at Richmond and I just flew over from the Philippines for possible in-person classes in November.
As for many people joining Richmond this year, it’s a weird and new experience staring a course online and having to e-meet your peers through your screen instead of the typical in person orientation. I began my online classes while I was in Manila and, thankfully, the time difference wasn’t that much of a bother as I was only 7 hours ahead and my classes were between 1-3pm BST. However, if I couldn’t make a class, or I missed a part of it due to poor internet connection, I could always watch the recording on Blackboard. The lectures are easy to follow and the adjusted timetable Dr Gannon made for us meant that we were only doing one module for the first half of this semester. It sure made my transition into my MBA degree programme a lot easier if you ask me.
I was quite nervous when I first started out – not knowing anyone in the university and moving down to London after spending my undergraduate years at Loughborough. However, I’m used to change, and I do enjoy changing my environment.
Over the weekend I hopped on a plane in Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and flew to London Heathrow after spending what felt like an eternity in lockdown. Flying amid a pandemic was a little bit worrying for me but I did everything that I could to make sure I was travelling safely – wearing a mask, disinfecting my tray table, and washing my hands as often as I could.
I’m currently in the middle of my mandatory 14-day self-isolation and battling jetlag at the same time. So, I have a lot of time on my hands and waking up at 5am. What do I do you ask? I try to get a head start on my day – doing my readings in the morning, reading the news, doing the work that’s been given to us. By noon, I’ve practically ticked off most of the things on my to-do list for the day. However, I’m not always that productive. I also spend some mornings watching my favourite shows on Netflix or calling some of my friends and family whom I haven’t seen in so long. And, of course, I attend my online lectures!
Covid has changed the paths of many – mine included. I didn’t expect to start my masters this way, but I look forward to what’s to come from it. I can’t wait to learn more, meet more people from this university, and constantly improving myself. This is only the beginning.
Stay safe everyone!
Margarita
