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3 Keys to Boost Your Spirituality Before Ramadhan
The world we live in is not conducive to attaining an optimal level of spirituality. That’s a fact of life that many Muslims either overlook or ignore entirely. Let’s face the facts. We’re constantly bombarded with half-truths, fiction-over-fact and an overall disregard for religious matters whether in daily life or on social media. It’s difficult to escape and even harder to quiet those voices that seek to destroy your spiritual nature that pulls you back to your Lord. As Muslims, many of whom live in non-Muslim societies, this is a great test. Holding onto your spirituality, and even increasing it, requires a deep commitment to your faith and a willingness to go the distance for the sake of Allah and your own salvation. The time is now. None of us know what tomorrow will bring as we prepare for Ramadan to approach. How many of us can guarantee we will be alive to welcome it? Your spirituality is your responsibility to grow and nourish like a newly planted seed, thirsty for rain and sunshine. It’s also the responsibility of the Ummah to help those Muslims who are faltering in their spirituality and set them back onto the path. Get Your Head into the Game If you’ve ever watched sports or even played on a sports team, then you’ve heard this saying ad infinium: “Get your head into the game!” It’s usually the plaintive wail of a desperate coach trying to get an important player to focus on the game and win it! However, this can also be applied to the spirituality of a Muslim. Attach Your Heart to Allah Allah Almighty has guided humankind to seek an audience with Him five times a day through the obligatory prayers, which is in addition to the limitless opportunities available through optional prayers. Through the Islamic prayer, the heart becomes attached to Allah as you connect with the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful in this beautiful act of worship. However, you can deepen this bond and increase your spirituality by living in a state of Taqwa. Translated in English as “God-consciousness”, Taqwa also means piety and a fear of displeasing Allah which is akin to love. Forsake Your Bed The only place most of us want to be at the end of a long day is in bed. After all, we’ve made our bedrooms into comfy havens that are sanctuaries of rest and relaxation which are far removed from the rigors of daily life. However, too much of anything can be detrimental. And sleep has a way of sapping the spirituality from a believer and, over time, it can lead to laziness. A great test lies in the comfort of your bed. In many ways, that comfort is a distraction from your Lord, Most High. Just imagine how much your spirituality would increase if you forsook your bed, just for an hour, to engage in acts of worship to glorify your Lord. Known as Qiyam-al-Layl, it is a time during the night where a believer reads the Quran, prays or engages in Dhikr, or the remembrance of Allah. The spirituality of a Muslim is rooted in the heart and, as it blooms, the branches will grow and flourish in faith and obedience to the One and Only – Allah.
What are The Rewards of Reading Surat Al Kahf?
Among the hadiths mentioned about the virtues of Surat Al Kahf is what Abu Darda’ reported from Allah’s Messenger (?) as saying: “If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.” [Sahih Muslim] Of course, the trial of the Dajjal is among the biggest trials believers would face, and knowing that Surat Al Kahf provides this protection must make it of extremely high value to the believers. Additionally, in another hadith, Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib reported that a man was reciting Surat al-Kahf and in his barn was an animal which became unsettled. As he looked, there was a mist or a cloud overshadowing him. He mentioned that to the Prophet and he said, “Continue reciting, for it was calm which descended with the Quran, or for the Quran.” [Sahih Al Bukari & Muslim] The Light of Surat Al-Kahf Regarding your questions, it was mentioned in the hadith from Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri that the Prophet said, “Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday will have a light between this Friday and the next.” Some words of advice Having said that, as an advice, if you do know that it takes you a long time to read it or that you might not be able to finish it if you start from the Fajr of Friday. Then, you can start reading from the Maghrib of the night before, i.e. from the Maghrib of Thursday. We have from after the Maghrib of Thursday until the Maghrib of Friday to read, and alhamduliAllah this is a vast time for us to engage in the remembrance of Allah and read Surat Al Kahf. Regarding your other question on describing the light in the hadith. The scholars have mentioned two possibilities for that: either this is a metaphorical light. Meaning it’s the light of guidance and prevention from falling into big sins that decrease one’s light of faith…etc. So it is a guiding light towards the straight path and away from sins. Or, an actual light, meaning, the person will have light and brightness in their face here and in the hereafter. They’ll have light from under their feet guiding their path on the Day of Judgement. We know that there is darkness on the Day of Judgement. So, having light under one’s feet guiding their way is a major blessing and means of security.
4 tips for managing stress and anxiety of studying during COVID-19
Many of us who endured the rapid transition to online studies during the emergence of COVID-19 might feel like we’re hanging by a thread during this pandemic. And for those who had hoped to return to university as I do, we might be dreading another semester of online classes as the pandemic continues across the world. I’m certain we’ve all got divided opinions when it comes to online learning. While some of us rejoice at the thought of not having to wake up early and face the commute to morning classes, some of us feel stressed out about the massive workload that’s going to befall upon us as a result. For those like myself, online learning is one of the least appealing methods of learning, and it was a really difficult adjustment for me. Here are a few pointers I’ve learned during the uncertainty to help you manage the stress and anxiety through a semester of online studies during COVID-19. 1. Plan and prepare for your classes I can already hear a collective groan but hear me out. Keeping up with online classes takes a whole load of stress off your shoulders. When my university migrated to online platforms during the first wave of the pandemic, I remember procrastinating for weeks. I reasoned with myself that I’d be able to catch up eventually since all the materials were available online. 2. Talk to friends and family Uni friends are half the reason that makes university life memorable. Although for many of us it’s not possible to connect with them face to face or socialise the way we have before the pandemic, we can still connect with them through regular calls or video meetups to talk about classes or just about anything. It’s also harder to retain a sense of university spirit when you’re not on campus. Thankfully, many university events have shifted digitally, so you can still join student union groups, clubs, events and activities to keep connected with your peers and your university community. Talk to your family as well. Share your worries and anxieties about the semester with them. Talking openly about the issues that stress you out can be a breather after spending a long day before the laptop screen. 3. Reach out to professors for help whenever necessary Although professors and tutors seem to constantly pump out video lectures, face-to-face tutorials, assignments and other activities, they’re very aware of the situation we’re in. Chances are, they’re also trying to beat the COVID blues as well. Hence, they might be open to have a conversation with you and will be receptive if you take the first step to reach out. So, don’t hesitate to seek assistance or advice when you need it. 4. Look after your physical health The ultimate reason for lockdowns, restrictions and mandatory quarantine is to safeguard our health. And staying glued to our laptop and cellphone screens within the four walls of our room for extended periods of time is detrimental to our mental and physical wellbeing. Therefore, it’s essential to eat healthy, do some stretching or exercises every day. Most importantly, maintain a regular sleeping pattern to wake up fresh and perform tasks for the day. Whether we like it or not, COVID -19 is not going anywhere, at least not for a while. The key is to adapt, prepare and adjust to the ‘new normal’ to get through your studies. Remember to remind yourself that help is readily available whenever you need it, and rest assured this too shall pass.
Membaca Online vs Offline, Mana yang Lebih Efektif?
Mengenai membaca online vs. offline, apa pilihan yang lebih baik untuk belajar? Pembelajaran online sekarang menjadi cara yang umum dan dapat diakses untuk belajar bagi banyak siswa. Guru dapat mengirimkan tautan ke bahan bacaan yang direkomendasikan dan menemukan sumber untuk memberikan pertanyaan. Tetapi ketika berbicara tentang membaca untuk belajar, penelitian menunjukkan bahwa membaca dari buku adalah pilihan yang lebih baik. DUA JENIS MEMBACA Ada dua jenis pembacaan utama: pembacaan linier dan non-linier. Pembacaan linier: pembaca membaca teks dari kiri ke kanan mulai sampai selesai. Juga dikenal sebagai membaca lambat atau membaca dalam. Bacaan non-linier: pembaca membaca sekilas dengan melompat ke bagian yang berbeda. Juga dikenal sebagai bacaan tersebar. MEMBACA DI LAYAR Dalam hal memilih membaca online vs offline, membaca online mungkin tampak seperti pilihan yang mudah. Namun, membaca online bisa sangat mengganggu. Meskipun mudah untuk mendapatkan informasi dari sumber online, otak memproses pembacaan digital secara berbeda daripada saat membaca offline dari kertas. Pemrosesan Dangkal. Online berarti paparan terus-menerus terhadap informasi yang bergerak cepat dan berubah dengan cepat. Media digital melatih otak untuk memproses informasi dengan lebih cepat dan kurang menyeluruh, mengarah pada apa yang dikenal sebagai hipotesis dangkal. Pemrosesan dangkal menyimpan lebih sedikit detail.. Kurang terstruktur. Untuk sekolah dan kesenangan, waktu online sering kali dijalankan dengan autopilot. Sangat mudah untuk hanya mengklik tautan berikutnya dan terus menggulir tanpa harus menggunakan terlalu banyak tenaga otak. Bahkan ketika online dengan niat untuk belajar, karena internet juga digunakan untuk kesenangan, itu untuk mengalihkan perhatian. Menguras Sumber Daya Mental. Memproses layar yang terus berkedip dan menyaring iklan pop-up, dan gangguan lain saat membaca online dapat dengan mudah menguras sumber daya mental, membuat pengalaman membaca online menjadi kurang efektif MEMBACA DI BUKU Meskipun mungkin kuno, penelitian terus menunjukkan bahwa membaca buku memiliki lebih banyak manfaat daripada membaca online. Meningkatkan retensi dan pemahaman. Saat kita membaca, otak kita membuat peta teks, seperti mengingat bahwa sepotong informasi muncul di dekat halaman kiri atas sebuah buku. Peta ini dapat meningkatkan pemahaman tentang materi serta berapa lama kita mengingatnya. BACA BUKU SETIAP HARI Anak-anak zaman sekarang adalah generasi digital, yang artinya komputer selalu menjadi bagian dari kehidupan sehari-hari mereka dan waktu layar menjadi bagian dari pendidikan dan rekreasi mereka. Untuk memastikan bahwa generasi digital memiliki keterampilan membaca yang dalam, membaca buku merupakan bagian dari rutinitas harian setiap siswa. Dalam hal belajar atau membaca jika ada pilihan untuk memilih antara membaca online vs. offline, memilih membaca buku membantu kita memiliki pemahaman yang lebih dalam tentang materi yang sedang kita baca.
How to balance work and study
The rising cost of university means students are turning to part-time work to pay the bills. Discover how to hold down a job without letting your degree suffer Money is a concern for most students – 79% of respondents to the Student Money Survey 2019 said they were worried about how they’d make ends meet while at university. It’s therefore not surprising that 75% of respondents worked to fund their studies, with a part-time job being the most common form of work (67% of respondents). If you’re trying to decide if finding a job is the right move for you, read on for advice from students who have been in your shoes. Benefit from part-time work While many students work to top up their loans and earn spare cash, that’s not the sole benefit of finding a part-time job. ‘Having a part-time job has been beneficial on many levels. Earning my own money is so rewarding, and the skills that I have developed really help to enhance my CV,’ says Catlin Edwards, a fourth-year Consumer Behaviour & Marketing student at the University of Reading. She works part-time as an HR administration assistant and bars assistant alongside her degree. ‘The colleagues that you meet in your role may even become your life-long friends. I cannot recommend getting a part-time job enough.’ It’s not just students who recommend taking up some form of part-time work at university. ‘Even if a student is financially secure enough not to need to work during their studies, we still suggest working part time or volunteering, as good-quality work experience is so important,’ says Jay Russell, campus jobs manager at the University of Reading. Consider your schedule Before applying for any part-time job, you should first think about your timetable. ‘Shops are busiest in November and December, and you may be given lots of extra shifts,’ Jay explains. ‘This could be perfect for you – but not if you have lots of essays due or exams to revise for.’ Be honest about the amount of work you can take on. Employers needing staff to cover shifts during term time often take advantage of eager students who need the money, and will often expect part-time employees to be flexible and work more hours during busy periods. Even if you’re willing to do this, highlight when your lectures and seminars are, as well as coursework deadlines and exams. While it’s important to be careful when taking on extra responsibilities, part-time work can be a great addition to your schedule – motivating you to stay productive throughout the day. For instance, if you have a shift in the afternoon or evening, you’ll need to wake up earlier to study in the morning. Plan your time effectively Taking on the extra responsibility of a part-time job won’t make excelling in your degree impossible, but you’ll need to be highly organised and have good time management to make it happen. Also, don’t try to stay on top of your workload by memory alone. Invest in a diary or planner and write down all shifts, lectures, seminars and outside commitments, as visual representation of your time helps you to stay organised and fit everything in. If you ever do find that you’re working too much, Jay advises that you talk to your manager and ask whether it’s possible to reduce your hours. ‘Ultimately, your health, wellbeing and degree should come first,’ he insists. Should you ever be feeling the strain, see our ways to manage student stress. Tailor your job application Working part-time throughout your studies equips you with the transferrable skills employers are looking for, so it’s important to highlight these in your CV and cover letter. In whatever role you choose, it’s likely you’ll develop teamwork, problem solving, time management and communication skills – all of which will boost your graduate career prospects. Make sure your application is tailored to the job you’re applying for. In your cover letter, explain how you’ll put the skills you’ve developed into practice. Employers at a bar or café won’t want to hear about the specific modules in your biomedical sciences degree, but will interested to hear how your degree has improved your ability to motivate yourself and to work as part of a team, for example.
Cara Mengatasi Kemalasan? Ini Dia 6 Tips Sederhana
Jika kamu mendapati bahwa kamu lebih sering meluangkan waktu sepanjang hari, dan kamu kesulitan menyelesaikan sesuatu, itu bisa menjadi tanda bahwa ada sesuatu yang sedang terjadi. Kurangnya semangat untuk mengerjakan tugas kamu, daftar tugas yang sangat banyak, dan bahkan kondisi kesehatan yang mendasarinya hanyalah beberapa hal yang dapat mengganggu keinginan kamu untuk menyelesaikan sesuatu. Dalam artikel ini akan membahas semua dasar kemalasan dan memberi tahumu cara menghentikan kemalasan sehingga kamu bisa lebih produktif. Bagaimana mengatasi kemalasan? “Bagaimana saya bisa menghentikan kemalasan?” Jawabannya mungkin tidak semudah yang kamu harapkan. Sementara beberapa orang mungkin lebih cenderung malas daripada yang lain, bahkan orang yang sangat produktif terkadang merasa sulit untuk menyelesaikan sesuatu. Berikut adalah beberapa tips sederhana untuk membantumu menghilangkan kemalasan dan meningkatkan produktivitas kamu. 1. Buat Daftar Tujuan yang bias Kau capai Menetapkan tujuan yang tidak realistis dan mengambil terlalu banyak hal dapat menyebabkan kelelahan. Kelelahan dalam menyelesaikan pekerjaan dapat menyebabkan gangguan kesehatan, kehilangan minat dan motivasi. Hindari kelebihan beban dengan menetapkan tujuan yang lebih kecil dan dapat dicapai yang akan membawa kamu ke tempat yang kamu inginkan tanpa membuatmu kewalahan. 2. Jangan berharap dirimusempurna Perfeksionisme sedang meningkat dan itu berdampak psikologis. Peningkatan perfeksionisme ini menyebabkan orang menjadi terlalu kritis terhadap diri sendiri dan orang lain. Itu juga menyebabkan peningkatan depresi dan kecemasan. Penelitian lain yang lebih kecil terhadap mahasiswa menyimpulkan bahwa mengharapkan kesempurnaan terkait dengan menghindar, yang menyebabkan pemicu stress. 3. Gunakan Motivasi Diri Positif daripada Negatif Motivasi pada diri yang negatif dapat menggagalkan upaya kamu untuk menyelesaikan sesuatu dalam setiap aspek kehidupan, Mengatakan kepada diri sendiri bahwa kamu adalah orang yang malas adalah salah satu bentuk pembicaraan diri yang negatif. Alih-alih mengatakan, “Tidak mungkin saya bisa menyelesaikan ini,” katakan, “Saya akan memberikan segalanya untuk mewujudkannya.” 4. Buat Rencana Merencanakan bagaimana kamu akan menyelesaikan sesuatu dapat mempermudahmu mencapainya. Bersikap realistis tentang berapa banyak waktu, tenaga, dan faktor lain yang dibutuhkan untuk memenuhi tujuanmu dan membuat rencana tindakan. Memiliki rencana akan memberikan arahan dan kepercayaan diri yang dapat membantu bahkan jika kamu menemui rintangan di sepanjang jalan. 5. Hindari gangguan Kita semua memiliki gangguan terutama saat kita tidak merasa ingin melakukan tugas – apakah itu berselancar di media sosial atau bermain dengan hewan peliharaan. Temukan cara untuk membuat gangguan Anda lebih sulit diakses. Ini bias berarti kamu perlu menemukan tempat yang tenang untuk bekerja, seperti perpustakaan / ruang kosong, atau menggunakan aplikasi untuk memblokir situs yang sering kamu kunjungi saat kamu harus mengerjakan tugas. 6. Beri Hadiah Pada Diri Sendiri Menyelesaikan pekerjaan adalah hadiah itu sendiri, tetapi beberapa orang didorong oleh penghargaan eksternal. Fokus pada apa yang akan kamu peroleh dari menyelesaikan sesuatu, seperti semakin dekat dengan promosi, atau hadiahi dirimu sendiri setelah menyelesaikan pekerjaan yang dilakukan dengan baik. Rayakan akhir proyek besar dengan jalan-jalan atau ajak teman untuk makan-makan setelah seharian menyelesaikan pekerjaan.
How College students can avoid procrastinating with online work
Procrastination is the bane of every student’s existence. We know what we should be doing; we just don’t want to do it. It’s easy to put off undesirable assignments until the very last minute, but then we’re forced to pull a stress-induced all-nighter. Seven cups of coffee later, we’re exhausted, frustrated, and turning in an assignment that hardly showcases our best work. If you take classes online, chances are you probably procrastinate from time to time. Research shows that more than 70% of college students procrastinate, with about 20% consistently doing it all the time. Here are the top 3 tips to crush procrastination and actually get some sleep for once! 1. Manage motivation One of the main reasons students procrastinate is that they do not see their coursework as relevant to what they’re doing now or expect to do later on. When students find that their academic tasks are interesting, important and useful, they are more likely to try harder to get them done and less likely to put them off. Remote learning can make students feel bored and frustrated. Therefore, finding ways to stay motivated can prevent procrastination. Remind yourself of the practical value of your academic tasks. Figure out the reasons you’re studying something in the first place. 2. Manage goals, tasks and time College life can get hectic. Many college students must juggle coursework, social events and work commitments at the same time. Getting more organized helps stave off procrastination. This means breaking long-term goals into smaller short-term, challenging and clear goals and tasks. The reason this technique works is that procrastination is directly related to an individual’s preference and desire for working on a task. When a goal is too large, it becomes not immediately achievable; therefore, you will see this task as less desirable and be more likely to put it off. By breaking a large long-term goal into a series of smaller and more concrete subgoals, you will see the project as easier to complete and, more importantly, your perceived distance to the finishing line will shorten. This way, you are more likely to perceive the project as desirable, and you will be less likely to procrastinate. 3. Create a good learning space Another important way to avoid procrastination is to make sure that your learning environment is supportive for learning. During the coronavirus pandemic, students are usually learning from home, but sometimes they study wherever they happen to be, even at picnic tables in public parks. These places may not be best suited for academic activities. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students are physically isolated from most of their friends and classmates. The social support that students normally receive in face-to-face settings, such as after-class chats and study groups, has also been moved to virtual spaces. That is, it’s still available, but mainly through virtual means, such as instant-messaging apps, online collaboration tools or video conferencing software. Used wisely, these tools can help students work with friends to overcome procrastination and make the classwork more enjoyable.
How to Study Smarter, Not Longer
Having good study skills is always helpful. But it’s even more important now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students worry about family or friends who may get sick, Sana notes. Others feel more general stress. Beyond that, students in many countries are facing different formats for learning. Some schools are holding in-person classes again, with rules for spacing and masks. Others schools have staggered classes, with students at school part-time. Still others have all online classes, at least for a while. These conditions can distract from your lessons. Plus, students are likely to have to do more without a teacher or parent looking over their shoulders. They will have to manage their time and study more on their own. Yet many students never learned those skills. To them, Sana says, it may be like telling students to learn to swim by “just swimming.” The good news: Science can help. For more than 100 years, psychologists have done research on which study habits work best. Some tips help for almost every subject. For example, don’t just cram! And test yourself, instead of just rereading the material. Other tactics work best for certain types of classes. This includes things like using graphs or mixing up what you study. Here are 10 tips to tweak your study habits. 1. Space out your studying Cramming before a big test can leave you exhausted. But you’ll learn and remember material better if you space your study sessions over the course of several days. 2. Make a plan — and stick to it Many students know they should space out study periods, quiz themselves and practice other good skills. Yet many don’t actually do those things. Often, they fail to plan ahead. 3. Test Yourself That 2010 study backs up one of Nebel’s preferred study habits. Before big tests, her mom quizzed her on the material. “Now I know that was retrieval practice,” she says. “It’s one of the best ways you can study.” As Nebel got older, she quizzed herself. For example, she might cover up the definitions in her notebook. Then she tried to recall what each term meant. 4. Mistakes are okay — as long as you learn from them It’s crucial to test your memory. But it doesn’t really matter how many seconds you spend on each try. That finding comes from a 2016 study by Kornell and others. But it’s important to go the next step, Kornell adds: Check to see if you were right. Then focus on what you got wrong. 5. Mix it up In many cases, it helps to mix up your self-testing. Don’t just focus on one thing. Drill yourself on different concepts. Psychologists call this interleaving. Actually, your tests usually will have questions mixed up, too. More importantly, interleaving can help you learn better. If you practice one concept over and over “your attention decreases because you know what’s coming up next,” Sana explains. Mix up your practice, and you now space the concepts apart. You can also see how concepts differ, form trends or fit together in some other way. Doing schoolwork during a pandemic is a tough situation at best. But remember your teachers and classmates also face challenges. Like you, they have fears, concerns and questions. Be willing to cut them some slack. And be kind to yourself as well. After all, Kornell says, “we’re all in this together.”
Higher Education Must Rise to the Challenges by COVID-19
One thing that we have all begun to appreciate since the arrival of the Corona-virus Pandemic has been the importance of scientists and those that support them. It is clear to the world that until there is a vaccine there is no real chance of bringing the situation under control. Governments have endeavored to wrestle with the need to minimize risk and deaths, and social distancing has become a key aspect of those efforts. Progress is being made, but it is often fitful and patchy, and there is always the ever present danger of further peaks of infection if we ease up too quickly, or simply resume life as it used to be before the arrival of COVID-19. The reality is that the ways of behavior, of interaction and doing business need to change and already there are signs of a new normal emerging, one that is predicated on the need to be cautious, vigilant and aware of the fact that anyone can catch the disease, and that anyone can spread it. Yet for all that, there is a pressing need to try and return to some form of normality, mindful of the fact that the disease remains a very real danger. One sector that has found itself severely disrupted by the Corona-virus has been that of higher education. Universities and colleges have been closed, academic and support staff left in fear for their futures, and students’ studies interrupted, and exams cancelled or postponed indefinitely. It is as if the pause button has been pressed on the entire sector, and yet this is the very sector that provides those scientists and others that will tackle future crises. Looking at the higher education sector it soon becomes apparent that the current paralysis need not exist, with a little imagination, and some technical know-how learning can continue. Granted the traditional face to face teaching that we have all been used to cannot go ahead at present, but various technological platforms mean that academics and students can interact in a controlled and professional manner. Already hundreds of institutions around the world have realized that they can justify their existence by conducting online teaching, with staff finding the process something of a revelation. Naturally, there have been a few technical glitches and teething problems, but once these have been ironed out all concerned seem to feel that the process is beneficial and what is more know that learning is being maintained and advanced. So, what are the challenges for such a process in Indonesia? Well, one of the greatest hurdles to surmount is the psychological one in respect of resistance to change. Some academics and many members of leadership and management teams are not particularly tech savvy and do not entirely grasp how online learning platforms might work. There are understandable anxieties about the need for training, and the development and availability of suitable learning resources. Such processes require total commitment, and that means that staff think through what material is made available and how lessons or units develop along with the learning objectives and assessment tasks. Many staff have little or no experience of such learning and so fear being exposed by such a process. Everyone needs to engage in some heuristic learning – learning by doing, and overtime ambivalence or hostility to such learning evaporates, and it can often be found to be a iterating experience. What is more institutions are finding that they can develop units and courses that can be easily offered to students who for whatever reason actually prefer distance learning. With planning and the appropriate monitoring and checks and balances, and of course safeguards around privacy etc. there is potential to tap into a way of learning that is undergoing exponential growth across much of the world. For such learning to be effective in Indonesia it is paramount that all students have access to the learning platforms, and this might well mean that tablets and other devices become a standard learning tool, one that is issued to all students and if necessary built into the fee structure. Rather than viewing such technology as a cost, it is needs to be seen as an asset, one that helps facilitate and optimize learning. It is vital that internet connectivity is improved and consolidated, something that is integral to the national economy. So, with this in mind, there are some questions that need to be asked of each and every HE institution: 1) What learning is available online? 2) What plans are afoot to develop online learning? 3) How often are staff given training to support the introduction of online teaching? 4) What funds have been budgeted for the development of online learning? If not, why not? 5) What is being done to ensure that all students can access the online learning platform? 6) What lessons are being learnt from what is being done internationally? 7) Who are the Online Learning change-makers in the institution, and are they being adequately supported? 8) What are the chief concerns about online learning and how might these be addressed? 9) Are various stakeholders being consulted in order ensure that the system works efficiently and effectively? 10) What mechanisms are in place to protect IT systems from viruses and hackers? 11) Could time and resources be saved by holding more meetings via online meeting platforms? 12) How is online learning being recognized and celebrated? There are very real opportunities at the present time to innovate, not just for the time of the Pandemic, but for the future. The most forward-thinking institutions have already recognized that this is a golden opportunity to embrace positive chance, to ensure the sector is both relevant and dynamic. No one is saying that it is easy, but it certainly can be exciting. When people embrace change and are helped to adapt to it remarkable things happen. Now is the time to harness the country’s considerable IT talent to ensure that it becomes trans formative in the field of higher