The impact of COVID-19 on university students

Illustrated by Rose Wong

At this moment, COVID-19 cases are frightfully increasing across the UK and scientists have forecast 50,000 new cases a day by mid-October if we do not take action now. This virus has affected all of us, some more than others but today I'm going to be writing about the impact on university students, being one myself. 

Senior politicians across the UK have suggested that young people may be the reason for the increase in coronavirus cases. However, as Eisenhower once said, "The search for a scapegoat is the easiest of all hunting expeditions." 

I believe that this virus is so extensive that there simply cannot be one culprit when it comes to the blame. Although it is true that many students do love to party and socialise, that is just a minority and a small part of the UK's population. How can this minute number cause such a rise? It's impossible. Instead of focusing on students and now closing pubs and restaurants at 10pm to diminish nightlife, the focus should be the same with schools among other things. We are not allowed to meet in groups of more than 6 but surely at 7pm on a Friday evening the pubs would be packed to the point where this rule of 6 may be deemed useless. Although the eat out to help out scheme was beneficial for the welfare of the economy, it did result in many people gathered together in restaurants which could've been a breeding ground for the virus. I've witnessed neighbours and other people having BBQs with family and friends resulting in large gatherings. School children who haven't seen their friends all throughout the summer have now gone back to school with the intention of social distancing but let's be real, these are young children. Do you really think they won't run up to their friends after not seeing them for so long and not give them a great big hug? My point here is not to point the finger to a specific group of people and say they are to blame, but to say that all of these have collectively contributed to the rise of the virus. 

University students' studies have been drastically affected. Although we have online lectures, that is not sufficient and many students who study from home do not have a good enough work environment having younger siblings running around making noise or other family disturbances. The focus in online lectures is not going to be nearly as much as it was in person as it's much easier to get distracted when in the comfort of your own room. It is also easier for students to say they'll catch up on missed sessions later as it's all online but later never comes. First-year students certainly won't have the advantages that last year's first-year students had because freshers definitely won't be the same. It'll be harder to make friends and enjoy university life. The dream of going to university and its perfect picture has now been shattered for thousands. Instead, they have online lectures, online or no freshers events and those who struggle with making friends or have anxiety will have to work even harder.

Speaking of anxiety, there has been a huge rise in the number of students facing anxiety correlated with the virus. According to Wisdo, "pandemic anxiety is almost three times more worrying to this age group than any other stress-creating experiences pre COVID-19". Students now worry about the implications of the virus on their future careers. Their degrees are effected but also their mental wellbeing. Many have lost their part-time jobs and are now struggling to pay for their rent, books they need for their course, and even basic necessities. I was meant to sort out work experience and now due to the virus, this has been halted. The uncertainty of how long this virus will last also doesn't help. In an ongoing study conducted by Dartmouth University, the mental health conditions of students who were already experiencing stress had spiked as a result of the pandemic. The feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and isolation have never been stronger.

As a student myself I do feel helpless as there is nothing much I can do to change the outcome of this virus except follow the rules the government has implemented. However, as Desmond Tutu once said, "Hope is being able to see the light despite all of the darkness". This virus won't last forever.