The Turmoil of University During a Pandemic
In March 2020 universities across the United Kingdom were forced to shut their campuses and adapt to teaching online, due to concerns surrounding the spread of COVID-19. This drastic and dramatic change in teaching styles and introduction of remote learning saw third level education become more demanding and intense than ever before. Study rooms and libraries lay eerily silent during semester two; a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of academics organising study sessions with their peers ahead of summer exams and final deadlines.
The world stopped as we saw COVID-19 shutdown countries and borders as international lockdowns were introduced.
Many students like myself were now back living with their parents and knee deep in their university studies, whilst situated in their childhood bedroom. Students saw their part-time jobs become “essential” or “key worker” positions. Stacking shelves at your local supermarket was something of a status symbol, cleaning trollies granted thanksgiving and delivering food parcels became a heroic gesture.
We couldn’t see our friends, missed our house/flat mates and huge strains were put on romantic relationships. Yet we muddled through and found time for fun via Zoom or connecting with friends on Animal Crossing. We stood on our door steps every Thursday at 8pm and clapped for our carers, checked in on our NHS friends and family and began to appreciate getting out regularly for a walk.
Before we knew it the better weather was upon us, restrictions started to ease and as we began to socially distance from our family and friends outside, binge watching ‘Tiger King’ on Netflix seemed like some kind of fever dream.
Final deadlines were approaching and one final push gave us the biggest sense of relief as we could finally look ahead to what would be a very different, yet still somehow rewarding summer.
Being a student is never an easy task.
However, being a student during a pandemic seems like an impossible feat. Classes online, limited responses to anxiety ridden emails and no camaraderie with classmates to get us through final essays.
Instead of leading independent lives as young adults living away from our parents, we were sent home.
Despite classes moving online and university campuses largely remaining closed, student fees remained as normal and with no intention of dropping. Campus residencies enticed students into living together, promising that halls of residence were COVID-19 safe and that support would be provided for those who contracted the virus and forced to isolate. Unfortunately, these promises were not delivered and left students feeling helpless, distressed and anxious.
It’s without a doubt that since returning to live and study and university, many students have been given an unfair portrayal in the media. Some narratives endorsed by key political figures warned us with phrases like “don’t kill your gran”, yet Dominic Cummings was politely excused for his UK road trip despite having tested positive for COVID-19; breaking the “Stay at home, Save lives, Protect the NHS” mantra.
University students are not to blame for the increase in case numbers in September 2020. This increase was anticipated due to the UK-wide return to schools.
Blaming a generalised group in society is certainly not a fair way to handle discourse surrounding the rise of infections, but instead is deflecting the poor decisions of those in charge.
It is not university students as a whole who should face blame, it is individuals scattered throughout all walks of life.