University Life in Covid Times

Awkward breakout rooms, flat isolation, running away from Covid wardens and dwindling mental health. All part of the Covid University lifestyle. Best years of our life, right?

Fictional portrayals of University in films, TV, books etc. often show the high-paced, frenetic and chaotic elements, namely the party life. Yet as any current University student will know all too well, this particularly element is stifled and limited by the restrictions in place. 'Flat drinks' as they're known, have replaced the usual busy student nightlife of pubs, nightclubs and parties. Whether you're squashed around the kitchen table or perched against the thin corridor walls, a successful and enjoyable night in the comfort of one's own accommodation is not as easy as a night on the town.

The social difficulties that a student might face have gone largely unreported simply because it's not considered important or necessary. I mean why would it? Ultimately a student goes to University to learn, study and come out with a degree, so going without the usual social aspects is a non-issue. Except that's not really true. The mental impact of reduced social activity is hugely underestimated, particularly on those who have waited for University with baited breath for the potential of freedom, inconsequential carelessness and new opportunities, that it offers.

Did anyone actually have anything that resembled a freshers week? Mine went as far as awkward, drunk introductions to people in cramped spaces along with the distinct familiarisation with the unpleasant smell of vomit. It's fair to say it did not live up to the expectations of the 'fabled freshers week' everyone heard so much about from older generations.

The most disappointing part of it all is the feeling of a "right of passage". Yes, everyone has had something taken away by the virus, but those aged 16 until around 24 have had something taken away from them that they will never get back. The right of passage to take GCSE's, A-Levels, go to Prom, lose your mind in freshers week, graduate, as well as everything in between. These are things that one can never get back. For current first year University students, this has been disrupted the most. Am I biased? Most likely, but I know I'm not wrong. No A-Levels, a limited A-Level summer where you're supposed to go on a cheap but wild holiday with your closest friends, a disappointing freshers week, followed by a first year which is almost all online and without the bustling social life.

It wouldn't be too outrageous to liken a current University accommodation to a prison. Look no further than Manchester where the students were quite literally fenced in, sparking multiple student protests where the fences were torn down. Or the flat isolation periods which I have no doubt almost everyone at Uni has had to endure at some point. It also wouldn't be a Uni accommodation without Covid wardens patrolling the grounds hoping to catch people socialising. Such criminals. Oh and the punishment? How about we fine the money-stricken students for their attempts to have a normal University life.

On the topic of money, paying £9,250 for an online streaming service is a rip off. How there is no difference in the cost of a media course with 6 hours of lectures per week, with something like an engineering or medicine which has an average of 25 hours of contact hours per week, doesn't quite add up. Sure, I understand that you choose what you study, but the arts are subsidising the sciences, but that's a whole other discussion.

Not all is bad though in the Covid University lifestyle. Online lectures offers the premium of watching the lectures on X2 speed and believe me I am so grateful for that feature. Work smart not hard definitely comes to mind. Sitting back in your chair during seminars with your microphone and camera turned off is another favourite for those who really cannot be bothered which is the majority, considering nearly every question asked by a seminar leader is greeted with deafening silence. Also, for the introverted and socially insecure among us, there is absolutely no obligation to attend social events or join societies, because nobody is! At least not legally anyway. But given that the few positives I could think of tended to revolve around the concept of being lazy, they certainly aren't long term positives.

Speaking of 'positives', it feels like every Uni student I've spoken to definitely had Coronavirus at some point during the first semester. Whether they were asymptomatic but know they had it because the rest of their flat did, or they were wrapped up and suffering in bed for a few days, I'm pretty sure we can rule most students as immune to the virus. You're welcome Boris, no need to vaccinate us now. I, for one, was part of the 'wrapped up in bed' category. It was horrible and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

The final part of the Covid University life, just to rub salt into our ever increasing wounds, is the mental health aspect. There's no doubt that the isolating, the lack of support from some Universities and the severe restrictions in place to try to stop us from having a good time take their toll. Some deal with it better than others but it's important to keep looking out for each other, as cliché as it is.

So there, a University way of life almost unimaginable this time last year. Personally, I'm still at home right now as opposed to in Cardiff, and a 'University' day for me involves waking at 1pm (some things never change from normal uni life), watching lectures on X2 speed, napping through a seminar before mindlessly watching Netflix at 3 in the morning. It's a truly stunning lifestyle.

But things will get better, as we keep being told, and keep having to tell ourselves to stop us from going insane. We can pretend to be freshers again next September, go on a wild holiday this summer instead and test out the local Uni nightclubs next year. But right now, compared to what it could be, it sucks.