COVID-19, How it Affects Our Student Life!

[by Basil Saju]

I thought of sharing with how this pandemic (Covid-19) affected the student life in New Zealand. Even though the lockdown period in New Zealand was not that much restricting as in many developing countries, it still left its footprints in our student life. The coronavirus period had different impacts on each student.

Initially, many were happy with the lockdown all over the country as it meant that they didn’t have to attend the early morning lectures in the cold winter in New Zealand. To begin with, the lockdown gave a month of assignment free life which made many enjoy their own company. It engulfed us into the world of music, games, movies and internet. But it also meant that we got separated from our friends. The joys of self-entertainment soon began to be boring. Then, it was a long wait for an unlocking situation to meet friends and relatives.

Then, soon after the 1 month level 3 lockdown, level 2 settled into everyone’s lives and with that online classes began. Still, it was better than face- to –face lectures as many students who lived in the city found it more convenient as it saved them the travelling time to Lincoln. There was a complete change in the situation of the class’s atmosphere. But after a while many came to know that there are lots of disadvantages than advantages to this type of education. This virus is not a blessing to students but a fore-shadow of the student’s further life to adjust the online mode of education. The shift in education is totally different from what we were used to. This type of online course seen in Software’s and online applications was not convenient and restricted our freedom of raising doubts and interacting with the class.

But there was an option for everyone to spend time productively as you can use the extra time to gain better knowledge and even try to improve one’s grades. Students with artistic talents could spend their time polishing their skills. As the winter draws to an end many are seen more bonded by blood. The Covid 19 period have strengthened family bonds as many parents were engaged in work from home. So for those who felt left out this was the perfect time to strengthen relations. Many Romeo and Juliet’s might have also shifted to being night owls as they could only enjoy the others company through telephonic conversations.

Studies have found that in online classes the adoption rate is around 50-60% whereas in the classroom the adoption was around 80-90%. Also online classes affect the eyes of the students due to long hours in front of the blue screen. Furthermore, looking at the big picture there is huge job loss due to the economic recession within the country. This would adversely affect the students who are due to graduate this year. Anxiety of not getting a job has increased among students especially among international students. The ones who have taken educational loans from their mother land for their education are the worst affected by this scenario. Another problem that could be faced particularly by international students is the lack of exposure tothe NZ culture. Many might not have got a chance to catch up with domestic students to explore their cultures as the lock down isolated communities. Moreover, many adventure sports that aimed at providing entertainment and a sense of team spirit among international students got called off. This reduced their chances of being a part of the kiwi society and many just became isolated in their cultural domes.

Students themselves are faced with isolation, anxiety about a deadly virus and uncertainty about their future. In so many ways the current situation is unprecedented for most people alive today. Amongst all that is happening around, New Zealand is blessed in a way as it is due to come out of lockdown. Many who felt that the student life has been a struggle could rejoice. Now that the education system returns to normal everyone has to start getting up early morning to attend the morning lectures, at least most of us I guess! To those who worry about what effect this pandemic has on their future. Just remember yesterday was history and tomorrow is a mystery, there is no use worrying about it. Just enjoy the present and make everlasting memories of your University life in whatever time you got left, so that those moments get etched in our memories.