It’s time to Adapt
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‘University days are the best days of your life’ everyone says.
You are absolutely buzzing for this next chapter.
Everything is planned out: classes, revision, exams, a long summer and then all the Freshers’ fun.
What could possibly go wrong?
Enter Covid-19: the invisible illness which turned every aspect of your life upside down.
One day you were at school, surrounded by all your friends, the next you were being sent home, told that standing within 2 meters of another human being was a threat to public health.
This horrible virus robbed you of your chance to celebrate the end of term, say goodbye to your classmates and even to sit your exams.
Plans, structures and milestones in life give us security. Right now, the whole world is riddled with uncertainty and for you, as students, attempting to plot your next steps, it’s just not fair.
So, what’s the deal for Freshers?
Whilst I’d love to tell you that by the time September comes around the only concern will be a little dose of ‘Freshers’ Flu’ from too much partying, the truth is no one yet knows what Covid will mean for campus life.
What we do know is that before clearing commences, universities will have to set out guidelines on how teaching will be delivered and what to expect from online learning, so you have a good understanding of what you’re buying into.
‘What about my social life?’ I hear you ask. Whilst Freshers’ Week may be a little different this year, universities are aware that it’s super important for you to make friends in those first few weeks, so many will be adapting to provide new online programmes to help you bond before your studies commence. There is also talk of forming ‘social bubbles’, potentially with a group of students on your course – just think how quickly you’ll bond, a ready-made friendship group waiting for you in that first week of term!
With shops, pubs, bars and restaurants potentially opening up on 4th July, by the time Freshers’ is upon you, you’ll have had time to adapt to this ‘new normal’.
Ultimately, what happens over the next few months is outside of your control. What you do have control over though, is the way you approach this new way of life.
If anyone had said that in 2020 ‘social distancing’, ‘self-isolation’ and ‘lockdown’ would become part of your everyday vocabulary, you never would have believed them but you’ve already adapted once and you WILL be able to adapt again.
Get ahead of the game:
- Create a structure for each day.
- Try out new online learning platforms.
- Keep your hand in with a little bit of studying so uni work doesn’t come as a shock.
- Smash the reading lists.
- Get moving – make daily exercise part of your routine.
- Stay connected in a time of social distancing (there are so many fun apps out there!).
- Take a look at the clubs & societies on offer at your uni.
- Make sure you join your uni pages on social media.
- Set yourself a challenge – load the laundry, become a culinary queen or boss your budgeting.
- ‘Me’ time matters –be kind to yourself.
- Keep reviewing your university’s guidelines on Covid-19 in the run-up to starting.
- Stay on the safe side by bringing along your own supply of Covid essentials, such as gloves, face masks and hand sanitiser.
- Check out our Ultimate Uni Packing List.
Starting uni is a big change; you’re leaving home for the first time and setting up life in a new city on your own. Scary? Yes! Intimidating? Yes! Exciting? Yes!
My emotions were all over the place; one minute I just couldn’t wait to get there and the next I was absolutely terrified. Covid-19 has added a whole new, complicated dimension to Freshers’ but the most important thing to remember is, everyone is in the same boat, you are not alone.
You’ve proven you can deal with new challenges over the last few months, so whatever the next year holds, you a have got this!