Scottish university students share post-lockdown fears and reveal what higher education was like during lockdown
Students finishing coursework and completing dissertations have had to do so in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, with graduates now facing an uncertain future post-pandemic.
Lewis MacMillan, 23, has just finished his final year studying Business Management at University of Glasgow. Before lockdown was announced, he moved back to his home on the Isle of Lewis to self-isolate with his family.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAlthough doing remote learning from a remote location, Lewis praises the university’s handling of the crisis by introducing a No Detriment Policy which means classifications will not be affected by the pandemic.
Lewis said: “I was back home which wasn’t ideal to get my work done but so long as I passed this year, my GPA wouldn’t be affected by any grades I got beyond 15th March. I feel like a combination of the extension and the No Detriment Policy outweighed any negative consequences of doing my dissertation during this time.”
However, Lewis is optimistic about his career prospects post-lockdown as he feels less restricted with the jobs he can apply to, with many interviews now done online.
Lewis said: “There are definitely fewer job opportunities so I’ve been applying but not expecting quick replies. But I have had interviews via Zoom and have been able to apply to further away places knowing I won’t have to leave the island and travel 200 miles or down south for a first stage interview.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"I can now consider more places than I would have done before.
“I’ll just take a picture with my postman when my degree comes through the door!”
Caitlyn Dewar, 26, has just completed her MSC Strategic Communication and PR at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.
She has been working full-time while writing her dissertation in lockdown, which she submitted at the start of May.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdCaitlyn said: “When it comes to deadlines, I like to get out my house and go to a campus spot to work but obviously I was unable to do that.
“With my mum, dad and sister in the house, it was like being a teenager again. It was a lot. It was the noise that got to me more than anything – people out cutting grass every day, redecorating and children outside on the street.
“Your bedroom or spare room turns into your prime working space so you feel you never switch off.”
With face-to-face teaching suspended, Caitlyn could only meet with her dissertation supervisor virtually. She feels the quality of her work has suffered as a result.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdCaitlyn said: “I did catch up on video call with my supervisor but I didn’t feel like I got the same amount of support as I would’ve face-to-face. Carrying out a research interview on video is hard because you can’t gauge body language.
“If I’d have been able to get on campus and dedicate the time, I’d have probably produced something better than I did and gained more from it personally.
“Mentally you get burn out a lot easier in this situation. There’s no escape, I feel like I never stop working. For months I was writing my dissertation while working from home and it was mentally draining.”
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWith the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.
Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.
Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.
Joy Yates
Editorial Director
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.