What I’ve learnt from students in isolation

Tuesday 15-12-2020 - 14:55

Written by Content Creator Sabaah Ahmed

As well as writing blogs for The Union, I’m also a PAL leader for the University. Which basically means I’m a facilitator – I support students to learn from myself and others. However, because of this pandemic situation, I’ve been calling up students in isolation to see how they’ve been doing. Here’s what I’ve learnt:

It’s stressful but doable

There’s no point in sugarcoating this, the situation sucks and everyone is stuck inside. Some students are isolating alone and others with flatmates or family and it can be overwhelming, but it’s not all bad. Silence can be good when you’re processing things and those living with family say it’s nice to have company because isolation can take a toll on your mental health.

Student services are blessings

Although you might be in isolation, you’re still in education and we’ve come to realise that this has caused some timetabling issues or general confusion if you were having some on-campus practicals. But not to fear because student help is here! I’ve been told from students that when they reached out their issues were generally resolved, whether from tutors or the tech department. For any wellbeing issues there are also student counselling services that you can contact at counselling@mmu.ac.uk

Technology is useful

Since students have all been staying in, one of the only things they’ve had is technology by their side and it’s helped them get through the tough times. Through your own devices I was taught you are able to connect with friends and family, binge all the shows on your list and even use social media to make lifelong friends! Trust me, I've made a few and it’s one of the best things that’s happened to an introverted bean like me.

Life skills are inevitable

Yes, although technology is amazing, it isn’t everything. From some of the students I managed to contact, I was told that they had gained some great life skills such as time management, keeping in line with health, new hobbies to keep busy and some even got a head start on assignments. So, if you ask me, students got lemons and they made the best damn lemonade! I also remember suggesting university societies for some people.

 

We are not alone

 

Finally, just because they call it self-isolation does not mean you have to go through this mess alone. There are some students that have expressed that one of the things that keeps them going is that they know they are not the only ones. I think this is what also keeps me going as a PAL leader; to know that what we go through as students, we never go through alone.

 

We go through it as a socially distanced team.

 

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