I am a third year Marine Biology student in the Life Sciences Department. I currently live off campus but go onto campus sometimes to do my online lectures, as I find it helps me focus being in a different space. Uni is scary enough as it is, without the added worry of the current situation, but I’m here to try and reassure you it’s not all bad!
Being in your third year means more independent studying and more pressure since dissertations need writing and there’s still reading and coursework to keep on top of. However, despite restrictions, uni is still more than manageable and online lectures have their benefits. Not having to make time in the day to go to and from campus for lectures means you gain almost an hour each day! You can then use that time to catch up on your latest assignment, or to relax. Making time to unwind is more important than ever at the moment so make sure you use this extra time to your advantage. I have found keeping some structure in my daily life has helped me to do this. For example, making sure I have three meals a day and setting a time each day where I stop working in order to unwind in the evenings. I have also found it useful to go onto campus since I find by separating my ‘relaxing space’ (aka bedroom!) from my studies, I can focus better. It was important before I went onto campus that I got a Covid-19 test to protect others and myself. It was quite nerve-wracking but only took a short time to complete and now I know I am safe and am keeping my friends and housemates safe too.
Being on campus was a little worrying to begin with, but I feel safe when I go there for my lectures. There are one-way systems in place and masks are compulsory in the buildings, along with disinfecting stations in study pods and around key touch points on campus. Rooms and study pods can also be booked online in order to limit the amount of people being in one place. If you feel like you’re missing out on the on-campus facilities such as the library, don’t worry! The library offers an online version of most books they have on campus, and it’s a simple process to find them, or request them if they don’t have them/have access to them.
If you are feeling lonely or disconnected from people, firstly don’t suffer alone. Reach out to people in your flat or message someone in the Student Support network. Secondly, try to get involved with activities as much as you can. There are still opportunities to go out and meet people –socially distanced of course! For example, volunteering with beach clean ups is not only a nice change of scene and a chance to meet new people, but you’re also helping the environment!
It’s important to stay connected with your tutor too as they can offer you support in your studies or be there just to have a chat with. My tutor has been amazing at ensuring she speaks to us regularly and is always willing to just have a chat with us to make sure we’re doing okay!
Staying in touch with people may be harder at the moment because of restrictions, and the ‘uni experience’ may be different this year, but don’t give up! Still try and put yourself out there and make use of the uni’s social media platforms, where they advertise activities that are going on. If you feel like the four walls of your bedroom are getting boring, I’d recommend going for a walk either onto campus, down by the river or just have a Google and see what’s nearby!
I hope that’s helped a little, and good luck with uni this year! Try to stay positive!