Student life, but not as we know it

So, what has it been like to study and live student life during the pandemic? While there are obviously a number of drawbacks, the students we have spoken to also see advantages.

text ANDERS BERNDT photo PRIVATE, JULIÁN MACHUCA

In March 2020, all teaching at Uppsala University went digital overnight.

“Teachers have battled and deserve praise; they have really given it their best. That said, unfortunately the experience has been worse for us students. I don’t believe we have learnt as much during this period and I think that will be apparent in the future,” says Linnea Lindström, a student in the Bachelor’s Programme in Political Science. According to Linnea, the dynamic of teaching is lost when it takes place digitally.

“One shouldn’t underestimate the value of those small conversations, after and before a seminar for example,” she points out.

ANTHONY GUNDSTEDT, a student in the Master’s Programme in Electrical Engineering, has had a somewhat different experience. As someone in a programme that usually involves a great deal of timetabled teaching, he describes the opportunity to choose when to listen to recorded lectures as a bit of a luxury.

“You can organise your study time yourself. There has however been less interaction, as many people listen afterwards,” says Anthony. Medical student Rodi Misto has also experienced a reduction in everyday stress.

“There’s no need to make the trip to campus and it’s nice to be able to watch any lectures you might miss afterwards. This has provided a level of flexibility that should be utilised in future, though motivation has been a problem,” says Rodi.

THE PROBLEM OF staying motivated is one that Mimmi Synnergren, who is studying history and literature, recognises. Her subjects generally involve less timetabled teaching.

“Personally, it’s been a struggle; I’ve really missed that contact with teachers,” says Mimmi. “We used to spend a lot of time in Carolina, the University Library, discussing and chatting. We tried sitting there at the start of the pandemic but it felt a little irresponsible. But it’s difficult to stay focused sitting in your digs alone.” All four emphasise the importance of having fellow students to study and hang out with.

“I feel so sorry for freshers who started during the pandemic. I’ve maintained a clique of three or four friends who have continued to meet, and that has been really important. I don’t know how I would have managed being completely alone,” says Linnea.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC broke out, some students chose to return home to their families. Linnea, however, chose to remain in her 19 square metre student apartment.

“Mental wellbeing has had to be sacrificed in the interests of dealing with the pandemic

An outdoor summer dinner arranged in June last year by Linnea Lindström’s immediate circle of friends.

“We’ve chosen to remain relatively isolated,” says Rodi Misto, pictured here foraging for bilberries in the woods.

“Without my girlfriend, it would have been quite lonely,” says Anthony Gundstedt, pictured here at a barbecue with friends.

and, while I have full respect for that, it has been extremely difficult, not least during the personal lockdown of spring 2021,” says Linnea.

“If I hadn’t had my girlfriend, I would probably have moved back home,” says Anthony. “Without my girlfriend, it would have been quite lonely.”

“As a medical student, you meet patients all the time and, naturally, you don’t want to spread the infection to them or to the ward. You want to avoid that at all costs. So, we’ve chosen to remain relatively isolated. I live with my partner and that has been a tremendous help and reduced the need for other social contacts,” says Rodi.

“But, of course, had this pandemic struck at a time when we didn’t have access to all this technology it would have been much more difficult to bear,” says Linnea. “And student organisations have impressed with a range of creative ways to socialise. Among other things, I’ve attended a digital ball with quizzes, student theatre and small digital groups. That was great fun,” says Linnea. ●

Linnea Lindström at a digital ball arranged by the Uppsala Political Science Students’ Association in April 2021.