We’ve officially spent over two years of uni alongside Covid, this is what it’s been like

Not the long-term relationship we wanted but the one we got


The first case of Covid came into the UK in January 2020 and Bojo made us all go into lockdown in March, meaning we’ve officially spent over two years with Covid in our lives. Since then a lot has changed but let’s not forget how neglected university students were and how we have adapted to the trials and tribulations of trying to make something of our early adult years.

Firstly, a moment of silence for the freshers who came straight from school and had their first proper night out very recently at the age of 19/20.

For some, their first taste of a ‘night out’ was Crisis sit down sessions. Now, to be fair, the sit down sessions were making the best of a bad situation but, it’s hard not to look back and cringe at the fact that you had to dance by wiggling your derrière on the table benches. It was awful having to watch your mates get with the people you came with and you had to sit there like a lemon.

We can’t forget our recently graduated third years whose uni experience started and ended with the first term and a half of uni. They couldn’t even get a proper graduation but we hope that their panic masters are giving them what they thought actual uni would be like.

On that note, there’s also the current third years who are now having their ‘first year experience’ in their final year when they have their diss to write, maybe following the lead of their predecessors with a panic masters isn’t a bad shout?

If your first year consisted of only about three months actually spent in Nottingham because you jumped on the opportunity to save money on accommodation fees, then fair play but we know that you seriously regretted it.

We interviewed Sam, a 2nd year Medicine student, who told us about his experience as a fresher whilst Covid was at its peak: “It was quite rough because by the time you came back to uni everyone had found their little friendship groups when you only knew a couple of people in your halls. Sorting out housing for 2nd year was such a stress.”

Hopefully, if you struggled to meet people in first year, you are finding 2nd year a lot better now that you have the chance to mingle with other groups of people.

Let’s also remember how societies tried to have online socials, I’m sure we were all sick of the weekly pub quizzes by the end of it. As a society committee member I can confirm that in person socials are definitely much better.

With things up and running again, it’s nice to actually be able to meet people on your course now that the majority of lectures are in person. Although, the thought of starting a conversation with someone in a lecture theatre can be slightly daunting, it’s like Fresher’s Week all over again.

It’s nice to see that campus has more of a buzz to it. However, trying to catch the 9am bus to campus is not a vibe, it’s best to try and get up earlier to walk, but it’s not always ideal when you have a banging hangover from the night before.

Despite all the hardships that Covid has caused: finding it hard to meet new people, maintaining friendships, online learning and being weeks behind on uni work, it makes you appreciate the people that surround you, playing sports again and getting drunk with mates having an actual proper boogie. Covid please don’t ever make us go into lockdown again, we’re officially done with you.

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