Studying with a Pet: Insights & Experiences from FERNFH Students
What is everyday student life really like with a dog, cat, mouse, and other pets? How do you successfully balance your studies, career, and pet? To mark World Animal Day on October 4, we asked our FERNFH students these questions.
Being lovingly woken up by your four-legged friend in the morning, taking them for a walk, filling their food bowl, and then off to work; coming home afterward, clearing your head on a walk, and then sitting down at the computer to study for the university of applied sciences. At first glance, balancing studies and work with a pet sounds like a lot of work, a lot of responsibility, and very little time. But what’s it really like to study at FERNFH with a pet?
How to Structure Your Daily Routine as a Distance Learner While Living with a Pet
“During the week, I usually set aside one or two days specifically for my studies so I can read the course materials after work. I typically complete more time-consuming assignments over the weekend. On a typical weekday, I take care of my dog and my two cats in the morning, work during the day, and study in the afternoon or early evening. In between, I walk my dog several times a day, and when the weather’s nice, I also enjoy jogging or hiking,” says Julia Trinkler, describing her daily student life with her two cats, Elfie and Mautzi, and her dog, Robin.
For Julia Trinkler, a FERNFH student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Informatics, the pre-set deadlines and exam dates in the FERNFH program are particularly helpful in creating detailed weekly schedules and managing her time so that neither her job, her hobbies, nor her pets are neglected. “Since I can do everything for my studies from home and there are only a few days of in-person classes, I hardly have to worry about who will take care of my loved ones during that time,” says Julia Trinkler.
Our student Paul Pointner also appreciates being able to structure his studies freely, without having to adhere to a set number of in-person days per week, as would be the case at a traditional university or university of applied sciences: “Except for the few in-person days at FERNFH, I don’t need outside help taking care of my dog Irmi, and I have much more flexibility.” Of course, a supportive environment is also necessary so that, in an emergency, there’s someone on hand who can take care of the pets. “Both personally and professionally, I’m lucky to have support here. My dog is allowed in the office at any time. My parents live just a few minutes away and can take care of my dog and cats if I ever have to be away for a longer period,” says student Julia.
Exam Period—What Now?
As the semester draws to a close and stress levels rise, the question often arises: What should I do with my pet now that I don’t have enough time? How can you successfully balance work, school, and your pet, especially during such a demanding time?
Our student Julia is familiar with this situation: “Especially during exam periods, my pets give me a lot of strength. The cats actually enjoy this time, when I’m lying on the couch a lot and reviewing my material—which means they get to cuddle with me a lot. That, in turn, helps me keep my stress levels low.” Julia’s dog Robin, in particular, is a great source of support for her during stressful times: “He practically forces me to put my notes aside every now and then and go out with him for some fresh air.” Combining intentional study breaks with time spent with a pet allows you to relax while also making your pet’s heart beat a little faster. “Most of the time, I can’t study all day anyway, so I use those study breaks to make sure my dog Irmi doesn’t get neglected,” says student Paul.
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