Universities across the country are welcoming freshers this month for the new academic year. However, coronavirus has raised a fresh set of concerns in terms of students’ mental wellbeing. First year students are incredibly limited in who they can socialise with. There is a real worry that freshers will struggle with loneliness in this upcoming semester, and will therefore need increased support from their university.
The first term at university is an incredibly exciting time typically filled with new experiences. These can include nights out, sports, societies and lectures . The first term can be incredibly overwhelming. Whilst I have some great memories during that first term, I also had a difficult time adjusting to university life. Covid-19 presents a new set of challenges for new students. With increased restrictions and the rule of six, everyone is adapting to these conditions.
Loneliness before Covid-19.
“It is vital that universities do everything in their power to check up on freshers and support anyone who is struggling.”
University can sometimes feel incredibly lonely, especially when you are trying to adjust to the lifestyle. Despite being surrounded with fellow students all the time, not having close friends and being far from family is often unsettling. I found it all too easy to spend my time isolating myself from student life when I was a fresher. This 2018 study found that 32.4% of students felt moderately lonely and experienced emotional loneliness rather than social loneliness. This was before coronavirus. Students are now going to have to spend even more time by themselves. It is vital that universities do everything in their power to check up on freshers and support anyone who is struggling.
Meeting people is such a key part of the university experience. Having conversations with a wide variety of people with differing views has shaped me into the person I am today. University is the first time that many students are exposed to a range of differing views and lived experiences. On top of that, meeting as many people as possible is the best way to find your closest friends. The government’s rule of six will impact the range of people students’ can meet. This could mean many will struggle to settle in for a longer period as it could take longer to find your closest friends.
Many freshers have concerns
Harry Molander, an incoming fresher at The University of Manchester, is worried about how the restrictions will impact his university experience. He told me: “I think the feeling of loneliness is inevitable, leaving behind family and friends who you’ve been with your whole life only to pretty much start again.”
Harry said he was concerned that it would be harder to find people he got along with well. He explained: “With the socialising restrictions this feeling is definitely worsened as the amount of people I’ll be able to meet will be very minimal which makes me very worried about meeting people I don’t particularly get along with and then being stuck with them.”
Expert advice
“Try to get out of your room and spend some time in safe student common areas, where allowed.”
Dr Niall Campbell, a consultant psychiatrist at Priory Hospital Roehampton, released a statement with his advice to freshers. He stated: “Try to get out of your room and spend some time in safe student common areas, where allowed.”
“Many students will feel like you do, and it is a good way to start interacting.”
Dr Campbell discussed how important it is to check what activities are still going ahead. It is important to get involved. He also stressed the value of regular exercise and that going outside for a walk or run could be beneficial to your wellbeing. He concluded: “Going to university doing a pandemic will be more difficult, but huge efforts are being made to support students and their welfare.”
A welcome change?
Despite many freshers’ concerns, for lots of students the restrictions could be welcomed. A heavy emphasis on university life is placed upon drinking and going out. In the past, many freshers might have felt the pressure to drink and go clubbing as it was the norm at university. The first couple of weeks of university are undoubtedly centered around going out before assignments get serious. Harry highlighted: “This [the restrictions] could have benefits, as it means I don’t have the pressure of meeting as many people as I can, because I can’t.”
“This means I can get much closer with my flatmates much more easily as we’ll be spending a lot of time with each other and hopefully make very good close friends quickly.”
Are universities doing enough?
“Some might find they enjoy university more than they thought and others could need support from their institution.”
The first term of university is going to be drastically different for all first years. For some, the changes will not hinder their experience. Some might find they enjoy university more than they thought and others could need support from their institution. The restrictions make lots of aspects of university uncertain, but universities are not being clear about what is going on. Harry told me that lots of his friends felt frustrated with their respective universities as they send emails with little practical information. Harry added: “It feels like they [the universities] are adding so much unnecessary stress to an already stressful situation.”
Throughout the past six months, universities were given minimal guidance from the government. Whilst they have had months to put a plan in place, the situation is constantly changing. Universities now need to take the time to implement extra measures to support students who might be struggling with the changes to university. Emails need to be clear and encourage students to reach out if they feel down. With coronavirus set to get worse once again, universities need to look out for their students during this time.
Phoebe Eyles
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