The Seven stages of self-isolation every Sussex student is going through right now

Being stuck inside for the unforeseeable future is pretty rubbish, and like many other students at the moment, we are missing uni life. Never were there times where we thought we could miss the seagulls so dearly and would do anything for another Pryzm Wednesday. Here are the seven ages of isolation we have gone through, and you will too.

1.Shock and denial

The whole situation escalated very quickly and most people did not have time to prepare and process the new reality. If we had all known it was our last night out, we would have been on top form sipping the VKs in the disco room in Pryzm. We denied the whole situation was happening until it was too late and uni officially transferred to online teaching.

Pryzm we miss you.

2.Pain and Guilt

Not being able to head down to Brighton beach with the gorgeous weather or mooch around the lanes really hurts. Instead, the reality of being confined to our houses with our families is the bitter truth. Painfully not being able to see our lovely friends hurts more than a 9am seminar after a night out. The guilt starts to hit as you remember how many nights out you passed on to be a good student or you were too tired – oh to be back on the N25 with all the other students.

N25, love u, miss u

3.Anger and Bargaining  

I don’t think anger has hit as much as it did when all the clubs announced they were closing, and Falmer and Northfield bar followed. Missing the small things from uni and Brighton, including the love-hate relationship most of us have with the seagulls, some have attempted bargaining with other birds to attempt to steal our food, or even asking our family if they can pester us as much as the beloved Brighton seagulls do.

4. Depression, reflection and loneliness

The reality is still hitting some – Maccies is shut and uni halls have all been vacated. On reflection, we did take for granted the beauty of Brighton. Never will we complain about another all-nighter in the library, the extortionate prices of Co-op, or circuit laundry (maybe we will still complain about that one actually).

Not until moving home do you realise cooking at 2 am is unacceptable and your mum will tell you off – the independence is gone! Missing uni friends is something we all are able to relate to: you quickly learn that your family just don’t appreciate you coming into their room at 1 am because you ‘fancy a chat’ – rude.

5. The upward turn 

Although we have a Sussex shaped hole in our heart, there are some silver linings. All exams have been cancelled, deadlines are pushed back and the no detriment policy has ensured our grades will not suffer. For the first time in our lives there is an excuse to watch TV all day and no-one can criticise you for being lazy. There is also a very valid excuse to not go to the gym – they are all closed, summer body will be postponed until 2021 with many takeaways being ordered.

lockdown calories don’t count right?

6.Reconstructing and working through 

Slowly, we are getting through the Brighton withdrawal. Being at home is not the same as chilling in Stanmer park, having some bevs with friends. However, we have had to make the most of the situation, so climbing into bed and binge watching a series a day seems appropriate, maybe watching the odd lecture for the self-satisfaction of being on top of our studies.

7.Acceptance and Hope

Many of us are yet to accept that our last few months of uni were stolen from us. However, there is hope that one day we will re-enter Falmer bar, pint in hand and mozzarella sticks at the ready, surrounded by mates before jumping on the N25 to central Brighton to have an epic night out.

We will be reunited

All jokes aside, lets all stay positive, help each other out and remember all students are in the same position.