Students preparing to return back to academic life in these next two weeks are beginning to feel the pressure. After schools, colleges and universities were forced to close after the Coronavirus outbreak – many students haven’t been in an academic setting since late March. By the 20th March 2020 all schools, sixth form colleges and universities had closed – so the majority of UK students haven’t been studying since then, as all exams were cancelled on the 18th March 2020.
I spoke with three students about how they were feeling about returning to academic life. I asked them a series of questions about how they viewed going back.
Student A and B are beginning Year 12 in the beginning weeks of September. Student C is returning to university this September as a third-year.
- What are you most nervous about returning to academic life?
Student A:
“About how the Coronavirus will impact my A-Level results in two years time.”
“I am concerned that I will be unable to have the opportunities that I would have had and that that will negatively affect my grades and my understanding of my subjects.”
Student B:
“I am slightly nervous and this is mainly because of the uncertainty surrounding starting sixth form and A levels in the midst of a pandemic.”
“It may take one or two weeks to get back into the swing of things but the younger generation has learnt to persevere.”
Student C:
“I think I’m most nervous about the added precautions affecting how much I’m learning.”
“I think I’m going to need more support and hands on learning [and] I am worried that because I won’t have that, that it is going to negatively affect what my final grade is going to be.”
“On the one hand I am slightly nervous… On the other hand, I am grateful that I can return to education.”
2. What is your college/university doing to make you feel safer?
Student A:
“Sanitation of work surfaces, hand rails and other surfaces is becoming a priority as well as maintaining social distancing.”
Student B:
“Making it mandatory that students wear face masks when walking through corridors and common areas.”
She also said that, “[They] are not able to go to after school clubs… But I strongly believe this is for the best.”
“The precautions definitely make me feel a lot safer.”
Student C:
Said that her university is “moving online mostly”, so “all lectures will be online and most the seminars” too. This student said that her university had “renovated one of [their] club spaces into a learning space to ease the amount of people in the library”.
3. What things are you doing to prepare for back to college/university?
Student A:
“Mainly typical preparation, such as introductory research into my A-Levels” as well as “stationary shopping.”
Student B:
“I am sorting books and resources that I need, but most importantly, I need to adapt to working remotely for this term.”
“I am grateful that I have access to a desk and space where I can work; however, this is not the same for everyone.”
Student C:
“I’m going to do more work at home, rather than going into the library to do assignments.” She also said she is going to “spend less time on campus” and not “hang around after seminars” like she would’ve done last year.”
“I think trying to remain calm about everything and just wait and see what it’s actually going to be like is helping.”
4. What is helping to motivate you to go back and what are you most excited about?
Student A:
“I’m very excited about a new start and [meeting] new people.”
“College [is a] more mature setting compared to high school [so] it’s very intriguing and I would say that is the main motivator.”
Student B:
“I am mainly looking forward to having some structure and clarity especially after the GCSE and A-Level fiasco.”
“I am looking forward to solidifying my goals… This sense of purpose will drive me to want to achieve, which is essential.”
Student C:
“I’m excited to see how they’re going to try and keep students engaged… especially with fresher’s week to try and make it exciting for the first years.”
She said that as a third-year student at university, “[She is] just focussed on getting the work done that I need to and as long as I have access to lecturers… they’re going to be easier to get information from.”
Thank you to all of these students for sharing their views – I wish them all well in the future!
Annaleece Longmore
Featured image courtesy of Element5 Digital on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
Annaleece Longmore
Annaleece is an 19 year-old student journalist in her second year at the University of Sheffield, studying Journalism Studies. You can find her on Twitter at @JournoAnnaleece.