‘By the time self-isolation is over you’ll be due to go back’

Universities have implemented restrictions to reduce footfall and spread, at the cost of disrupting education.

Despite this, fees and rent must be paid, leaving some feeling exploited, yet no experiences are the same.

The University of Plymouth told Ellen Argent it was impossible to complete the term in Guernsey, despite her not being on campus once this year.

‘I’ve been conned into coming back and paying for rent,’ she said.

Her course was easily transferred online, but lesson frequency is low.

‘I’m paying the same amount of money for barely any of the resources.’

Initially she was calm about returning, but now is coming home.

‘I’m hearing of so many of our friends catching it. I’m too scared to stay in the UK. I’ve barely left the house since being back and the numbers are increasing.’

Miss Argent believes dedicated student flights aren’t necessary since many have to travel far to airports, but cheaper evening flights would help students return.

Lessons have reduced from daily to fortnightly for Tyler Horey, a Leeds Arts University photography student.

‘If this happened in first year I would have deferred and possibly the same going into third year.’

Despite it being necessary to process film for his course, the darkroom is out of bounds and other facilities require bookings.

‘I have no idea about Christmas yet, it’s kind of at the back of my mind.’

Honor Anderson is allowed in weekly to the Glasgow School of Art, with different courses being allocated days to attend.

This creates barriers to completing work when needing necessary materials.

‘You can’t do any work until you have those materials, so I have to wait for Friday every week.’

Facility use requires bookings, creating fears she will lose her skills by next year.

Rosie Leslie’s course is online at Arts University Bournemouth, where Covid is rife.

Studio space must be booked, but the system can be monopolised.

‘People could book the studios out for the entire year, whereas others may be completely online.

‘Covid-wise, it’s really making its way around Bournemouth. It’s very fast moving and cases are definitely going up amongst students.’

Miss Leslie is coming home next Friday due to boat cancellations until December.

‘Some people in Guernsey are anxious about [students] coming home, but to keep students from their families during Christmas would be devastating.’

Studying in Newcastle, Alana Golden said: ‘Uni life is so strange.’

Lectures are online, with half pre-recorded and half live.

‘All materials are accessible, but it’s super hard to stay motivated without any human interaction.

‘For Christmas, I’m desperate to come home but I don’t think it’s an option. I feel it will be too stressful and won’t feel like a break; by the time you’ve come out of isolation it will be time to go back. I understand how important isolation is and would rather my family be safe and come home at a later date.’

At Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, James Boucher said as a first year he felt nervous and overwhelmed, but everyone else is in the same boat.

‘University, although different to the usual experience, is still enjoyable and manageable in this strange and changing time.’

Half his course is online with the other, drama, in person.

‘Practical lessons are, simply put, very weird.’

Acting in a mask is challenging.

‘However, cleverly, my course has based this first year on using masks. If we’re going to have to wear some sort of face covering, we might as well make a prefrontal drama use out of the situation.’

Campus life continues in a bubble, with the student union bar open, but coming home is ‘a difficult one’.

Leaving university in early December would be ideal, to complete isolation and be able to enjoy Christmas at home.

He said there have been one or two cases across the university, yet the area is in tier two.

Tier one is medium risk and tier three is very high risk of transmission.