Student Experience of the pandemic

At Outline we have held a number of interviews with local businesses to see how they have coped with the Pandemic you can view thoseWe also wanted to get the student view so we have asked a Eliza from UEA, to share with us her view this very strange and unchartered 15 months.

UEA Students and the Pandemic: How Do They Feel?

On 16th March 2020, UEA announced that they would close all but essential services on campus. A week later, all study had been moved online, graduation had been cancelled, and many returned home not knowing when they would be back. Over a year later, graduation has been postponed again, and many of us, including myself, have had no in-person teaching since March last year. As a student, I was interested to know how the pandemic, the various lockdowns, and the ever-changing rules had effected the UEA community.

Starting with my fellow final year students, there has been a mixed bag of responses. The disappointment of another postponed graduation was, of course, disheartening. Instagram and Facebook in the days following the announcement were awash with final years expressing their frustration. Particularly since the government are working towards ending social distancing on the 21st June, and our graduation would happen after this. On the other hand, many saw the decision coming. Speaking to my friend Hannah, a third year English Literature student, she told me that “[the decision] didn’t come as a big shock to me, and while it is annoying, and we haven’t been told anything about how next year’s ceremony will work, they’re doing what they think is best”.

For many international students, who are unable to travel to the UK, the decision to postpone is also welcome. Other Universities have also made the unpopular decision to cancel or postpone 2021 graduation. However, Lincoln University recently announced they were making a u-turn on their cancellation, offering hope to students still wanting a ceremony this year. More than 9,700 Lincoln students signed a petition against the university’s decision not to hold in-person ceremonies this year.

Whilst final year students have had to adjust to the fact that the end of their degree will be very different to other years, first year students have also had a strange experience. Starting university is always a daunting time, but for the freshers who moved into halls in September, restrictions meant that the usual festivities were not possible. Juliette Rebold Stead arrived at UEA this year and said her experience had its upsides: “[there’s] no doubt that freshers has not been the same and at first I was really annoyed that no events could take place, but at least we could go out in groups of six, and luckily I found an amazing group of friends in my flat so we made the most of what we could”. There is no doubt that the opportunity to move into halls made a positive impact on students, most of whom had been in lockdown at home with family prior to September.

However, prolonged social isolation has definitely had its downsides for young people. The mental health charity Mind reports that “People aged 18–24 reported worse mental health and wellbeing during the 2020 UK lockdown”, and “Nearly three quarters (73%) of students said that their mental health declined during the lockdown”. Mental Health services at UEA have been stretched over the past few years, and criticised by the student body. However, during the pandemic, societies at UEA like Headucate have really stepped up to the mark in terms of trying to raise awareness of mental health in this challenging time. The SU have also been working hard to ensure the social aspect of university remains as normal as possible, and recently reopened the bar outside.

Clubs and societies have been integral to boosting student morale this year. Despite the various challenges of organising events during lockdown (let’s not mention Zoom), many of UEA’s student led groups have been amazing at keeping a sense of community alive during lockdown. One of the clubs I’m involved with, Ballet, have done a particularly impressive job, working to ensure that classes, socials and rehearsals could go ahead. Juliette, who is also a part of Ballet, said that the club has been “a great way to keep busy and do something you enjoy”. Student led groups, campaigns and clubs have been at the heart of keeping UEA student’s going over the best year.

My time at UEA may be drawing to a close, but for many students, the return to normal study is, hopefully, imminent. Most students who found themselves caught up in the midst of the pandemic, I’m sure we’ll look back on our online days with a mix of anger, frustration, and disappointment that there was not much support given to us by the government during this time. However, many of us still got to live with friends, carry on with extra-curricular activities, and tried to make the best out of a bad situation. I know that I for one will always remember the effort put in by my fellow students, at UEA and across the country, to support each other.