Learn How COVID-19 Is Affecting Students
Since mid-March, authorities in different countries began to impose severe restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. China was the first country to prove that restrictions help fight the coronavirus. In China, the healthcare system was able to cope with the sick in a few weeks. Due to the restrictions on freedom and full control of the citizens, the virus stopped multiplying.
Italy became the second country in which the number of cases increased several times during the week. Italy is currently the leader in the number of deaths from COVID-19. Out of about 100,000 cases, more than 12,000 people have died. Some suggest that such a result is because Italy has a lot of pensioners. Others are convinced that the coronavirus is dangerous for all age categories, and tourists have brought it to Italy.
Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, Italian authorities have imposed several stringent restrictions. Now all residents of the country are required to comply with home quarantine. At first glance, such measures seem justified because they help stop the virus from spreading. However, it turned out that quarantine caused a lot of problems that are difficult to cope with.
How Has COVID-19 Changed Students’ Lives?
Quarantine has changed the lives of almost every person. A lot of families lost their jobs and, therefore, stable income. Some people were left alone in a foreign city or country, unable to return home. People whose lives are connected with movement, sports, and communication have practically lost the meaning of life.
Another problem is that the coronavirus is directly affecting the education system. As we know, in schools and universities, all deadlines are set a year in advance. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, students cannot sort out their subjects. Universities have changed the dates of tests and exams, and all studies have been transferred online.
The uncertainty is what scares students. In an epidemic mode, they cannot pull themselves together and just keep studying. However, students' lives have changed not only because of quarantine; there are several other reasons:
- Loss of earnings or loss of income from parents
- Deterioration of psychological state due to negative news and events
- Fear of getting sick or passing on the disease to one's relatives
- Fear of losing a scholarship or funding
- Burnout due to an overabundance of information
- Loss of a loved one (many people stayed abroad due to the closure of borders)
- The difficulty of studying at home in the current situation
What Do Students’ Lives During Quarantine Look Like?
Students are a social category that has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Now they are in limbo because they can neither study nor work. Although the coronavirus is affecting all students, it has impacted more those who are getting a bachelor’s degree. However, both authorities and university leadership facilitate student learning. This includes the ability to study online, change exam dates, and provide student counseling. We decided to interview a few students and ask them how the coronavirus is affecting their lives. In this article, we have posted real stories and notes from the life of people under quarantine.
Lisa
Lisa is studying at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Lisa already has a bachelor's degree and is currently studying for her master's degree in product design. She constantly flies from Scotland to Italy, as her family lives there. During her last visit to Italy, the coronavirus epidemic began, and she immediately flew back to Glasgow. As soon as Lisa flew to Scotland, she contacted the university administration and talked about her situation. Her family lives in northern Italy, so she could hardly get the virus. Nevertheless, she very responsibly approached this issue.
The university administration advised Lisa to observe quarantine for two weeks, which is recommended for every person who arrives from abroad. Her self-quarantine has recently expired, and now Lisa is sharing her experiences. She says staying home for two weeks was extremely difficult.
Classmates and teachers constantly support her by texting and sending her greetings. All the work that she had to do went online. Lisa admits that being indoors was a disaster for her because she used to spend most of her time outdoors. During the first days of quarantine, Lisa could not start her work, and she was overcome by procrastination. She could not find motivation and set goals. The only thing that supported her was the idea that her actions helped others and the health system.
All training was transferred online, and Lisa can now watch lectures on a special platform. The administration publishes changes in the work of the university so students know the latest news. Communication problems do not arise, and this is very pleasing for Lisa.
Now Lisa plans to go for a walk because the period of her self-isolation is over. Of course, she puts on a mask and uses all the precautions. She says that such an experience was not superfluous for her.
Sveva
Sveva is studying English and Spanish at the University of Turin. She spent the previous semester at a university in England. When she returned home, the coronavirus epidemic was already announced in Italy. Since she is conscious, she immediately arranged for self-isolation.
Sveva says university studies help her think critically and make decisions quickly. She believes that school students are frivolous about government bans. Many of them do not understand why quarantine is required.
She says that the universities in England followed the example of Italy and transferred classes online. Foreign students managed to get home before the borders were closed. Sveva says that she is not bored with studying online because all the lectures and materials are presented interactively. Students complete assignments at home and then send them to the professor.
From Sveva’s world, we concluded that online education in England and Italy is well organized. Teachers fairly evaluate homework and explain mistakes.
However, Italian universities cannot provide dates for the protection of scientific papers, exams, and retakes. Some universities have already started conducting video conference exams. However, Sveva smiles at the idea of holding graduation online. In the end, the coronavirus will stop affecting students' lives, and they can celebrate graduation together!
She admits that the coronavirus gave each of us a new experience. Of course, universities cannot do this perfectly. However, Sveva is pleased with the decisions and innovations of her university.
Umberto
Let's talk about the University of Bologna and its students. We interviewed a medical student who is already graduating from university. Umberto's life went into quarantine for an unlimited time. Now he is cut off from the world, his friends, and his family.
However, Umberto states that both he and all his acquaintances voluntarily comply with quarantine. Students understand that the more responsible they are in quarantine, the faster the coronavirus epidemic will end. Like previous interviewees, Umberto understands why self-quarantine must be respected, and this motivates him.
Both Umberto and many students from his department have been at risk for the past couple of months. The fact is that at this time, students undergo practical training in public hospitals. When the coronavirus spread throughout the country, students were forced to abandon the practice. Umberto understands that it is negatively affecting his academic performance. However, he believes that everything that happens is for the better.
The administration of the University of Bologna quickly decided to transfer the studying process online. Students can view lectures from any device and ask questions about the material. New information about the epidemic of coronavirus is constantly published on the university website. No one is hiding from students, even the most negative news.
Umberto does not feel the difficulty of learning online. His university published approximate dates for exams and graduate theses. Students are immediately notified if any information has changed.
He hopes that none of the students or teachers will suffer in connection with the pandemic. He respects home quarantine and stays tuned for news. Umberto communicates with friends over the internet, and this helps him stay calm.
How Has The Coronavirus Affected Your Student Life?
To date, most countries have introduced a national quarantine regime. Neither students nor adults have the right to leave their homes. The exceptions are doctors, government employees, and some people who have supporting documents.
In quarantine, people face a huge number of problems: lack of stable income, conflicts in the family, and lack of activity. However, it is much harder for people who have fallen ill with coronavirus or are stuck abroad. Therefore, each of us should be responsible and hope that the situation will change for the better.
If your education is at risk, contact your university or your supervisor. All training will be transferred online, and you will be able to complete all tasks. Universities are doing everything possible to prevent failure in the educational process and continue their studies.
