Reminiscing on a year of University during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Although we are all sick of hearing about it, it’s unavoidable at this point. I must admit at times I have struggled to come up with blog ideas on occasion, especially when the news seemed to still be filled with the Coronavirus Pandemic. However, as my second year of university has drawn to a close I can’t help reflecting on the past year we have had as a result of the pandemic.

The first year of university was cut short when it was announced that the UK would be going into a lockdown, that was initially said to only last three weeks but ended up lasting three months. At the time the lockdown seemed pretty daunting and it ended up affecting a lot of people negatively but I can’t help reminiscing on it slightly. The weather was nice the whole time, making it nicer to go on walks with family which would probably not have occurred as often without the pandemic. It did seem to allow us to spend a lot more time [or rather it did for my family that were not working as often as they might have] together. As a result of the summer lockdown my return to university seemed somewhat promising; as the numbers were low and things were slowly opening back up. However this was not to be.

As September transitioned into October the promise of my second year began to fade, as it was clear that the easing of lockdown had happened too soon. The numbers were rising and the mixing of students both at schools, colleges and universities was also adding to the rise in cases which was clearly a problem. Over the course of my first term I went onto campus for two hours a week, which was nice. Although it wasn’t a complete return to Uni life and routines, the two hours were enough considering the circumstances. They were of course socially distanced sessions but they provided a break from sitting in my room all day. However, the November lockdown was announced which did put a spanner in the works. This meant that there was little to do and myself and my housemates were ultimately stuck in the house together for a month, which at first seemed like fun but ultimately – as much as I love my housemates – did become somewhat tiring. Especially considering the shorter, darker days as we moved into winter. Students were then given a travel window to return home for Christmas which meant the term was once again cut short and I returned home for 8 weeks over Christmas. This ultimately lost its novelty especially when the days started to merge into one.

Christmas of course was underwhelming. It was assumed that we were put into lockdown in November to control the numbers enough to be allowed to see family members over the holidays. However, this of course didn’t happen and resulted in strict control over the Christmas period and jeopardised my return to University. The government were suggesting not to return to accommodation but I was aware that because I live in a house my options were slightly more open and I knew I would concentrate much better if I returned to my University setting and so I returned. But the downside of my returning to University is that my other housemates elected not to return, for understandable reasons but the next term I spent alone in my house with nothing to do, being as everything was closed. I spent this period watching as many TV programmes as I could to fill my time with and I started this blog. All of this filled my time enough that the period was tolerable however, I couldn’t help thinking of what could have been. Of how my second year should have been spent. After the Easter period there was an easing of lockdown restrictions and my housemates have returned which has allowed us to spend some more time together. Particularly as a result of bars, cafes and restaurants opening up which we have been able to enjoy.

Although this does seem like a simple list of events that occurred over the past year, the reflection is that it is clear that University students have been pushed to the back bench during the pandemic. Whenever there was an announcement the Universities were more often than not, glossed over, leaving myself and my housemates confused. It is particularly hard when you consider that although University is about academic work it is also a period to spend time with your friends and enjoy the lack of responsibilities that we have for the time being. All of this had been put on hold, with the promise of third year increasing more and more. I also specifically remember my anger at the announcement that Universities would return to campus in mid May which is when most of the timetables would be finished [mine included] but people were allowed to go back to school or go to the pubs before this. It is clear that the government lacked concern for University students, which became particularly grating when we were still being blamed for the spreading of the pandemic. Of course I am not undermining the way that older or vulnerable people have suffered during the pandemic but the lack of support for students has been massively underwhelming and disappointing.

It is clear that the pandemic has been extremely taxing on a lot of people and the past year won’t be forgotten any time soon. There have been, like most things, highs and lows of the year. The first lockdown was a novelty, it was sunny and we were able to spend quality time with our families and most of us were a lot freer from work. However, as the year progressed and the weather worsened, lockdown became more and more unappealing and the experience of University students has left us feeling neglected. As has been said many times over, everyone is ready now for the pandemic to end and the vaccines have allowed us to start to think that this can become an option in the not too distant future.