Welcome to LJMU to all freshers! Understandably you may have some worries about what university will be like when you start. I am a lockdown graduate and I received a First for my degree, which I finished during COVID-19. I am here to tell you that going to university will still be as amazing as you had hoped.

If you are reading this, I assume you will be a fresher in September 2020. Hopefully you chose LJMU. Though, if you are going elsewhere, my advice is still relevant. In this post, I discuss the resulting changes and challenges of COVID-19 before offering advice from my experience so that you can embrace the change and still make the most of your first year at uni.

The Changes:

1. Lectures
For the moment, lectures are being delivered online. LJMU have great facilities in place to ensure you can access the highest-quality teaching from the comfort of your own home – or bed. Online lecturers may seem daunting and off-putting. They’re actually quite good. Unlike normal lectures, if you miss something said by the lecturer, you can rewind to hear it all over again. If you like to sit at the back of class, this will benefit you more than you’ll ever imagine. Additionally, if you don’t like walking in the rain, then online lectures save you from the wet and windy walks to university during the winter. So, every cloud…

2. Library
Following suit with the rest of the university, in March the library shut its doors to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This meant we lost access to a significant amount of literature. In response, LJMU made most books available via online access. Again, this had its benefits. At first, I was quite traditional in my approach to research, and I opted to loan physical books to fill up with post-it notes. Accessing books online makes it easier to search and locate the quotes necessary to complete your assignments. This is because most online viewing platforms have a search bar, so you can fly straight to the part you need. When they don’t, the keyboard shortcuts CTRL+F or Command+F (for Mac users) do the exact same thing and allow you to search for and find what you want immediately.

Losing the learning environment of the library hurt the most, because I basically lived there throughout my final year. Working from home in a rowdy student house, which was falling down around me, was quite a challenge. But, as you will be in your first year and more than likely staying in halls, this may not impact you that much. I do think arrangements are being made so that the library can re-open at the start of the new academic year. So again, this will have minimal impact on your experience.

3. Social Distancing
Virtual freshers’ week and freshers’ fairs seem to be the chosen method for the time being. If you want to join a club or society, you can still do this. Check out your student union website for clear information on how to do this. LJMU students can access ours here.

If you are worrying about making friends at university whilst maintaining your social distance, don’t. Remember, you and all other students are in the same boat. You will still be able to make friends with people in your accommodation and on your course. Make sure to join Facebook groups and pages for your accommodation, course, society, etc. A small distance between everybody doesn’t prevent you from being social, you just may have to speak a little louder!

The Challenges:

1. Adapting to online learning
The aim is to provide students with a mixture of online and face-to-face learning opportunities. Online lectures and Zoom meetings are different to the norm and that is indisputable. I assume that almost everyone reading this should be familiar with using these online platforms, either from arrangements made by your previous education provider or from Zoom quizzes with your friends.

If you are not familiar with these platforms, then still do not worry. You will be shown how to use them beforehand to ensure you will not miss out on any taught material. Even if you do not have access to IT equipment capable of running the software, contact your university as they will be able to assist you. One thing to remember is that you are not alone. Help is there for you if you need it. Do not be afraid to ask. At university, similar to college, you are in control of your own learning. As long as you stay motivated towards your work, your grades will reflect that.

2. Socialising in a socially-distanced way
Obviously, freshers’ week will not be the same as usual. Again, that is fine. You will have at least two more freshers’ weeks during your time as a student, depending on the length of your course. There will still be things going on too; your time at university is what you make of it! If you want to have a good time, then you can certainly do that regardless of the current circumstances.

In your accommodation, there will also be lots to do. Halls are a hub of activity. You will have your flatmates and the people on your floor too. During freshers’ week, put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to knock on doors of the people on your floor to introduce yourself. Just ensure you respect the latest government guidance and each individual’s personal boundaries.

3. Looking after your mental health and wellbeing
This is vital. Moving away from home for the first time is scary and I get that. It can be a bit of a learning curve, but you can do it. You now have the freedom of choice over near enough everything in your life. If you make the right choices, you will prosper. I recommend you prioritise making friends, learning to cook, keeping fit, and keeping on top of your work – not in any specific order. Doing all of these four things will keep you feeling on top of your game.

With the current state of the pandemic, I understand if you are feeling increased levels of anxiety towards moving away from home. If, when you get to university, you feel yourself having a bit of a wobble, talk to your university. If you are an LJMU student, advice on this can be found here. LJMU staff are great listeners and all seem more than happy to go out of their way to ensure your experience here is the best that it can be. You can speak to them in confidence, if necessary, and they will maintain confidentiality whilst going the extra mile to resolve whatever issue is at hand. I certainly vouch for them.

My Advice:

Keep on plodding along. Seriously, this pandemic won’t last forever. Things will return back to normal, this is only temporary. Your time at university can be the best years of your life if you put yourself out there, make new friends, and put your all into your work from the beginning. If you start off smashing your work, it will make your entire ride through university easier. I did not do this, and I came into my final year needing at least 73% to achieve a First. It’s achievable and I managed but I wish I had been on it from the start. The more work you do in your first years, the easier it will be in the latter. Look after yourself too. Keep yourself and your space clean and tidy. Not only will this benefit you mentally but it is easier to maintain a good habit than it is to change a bad one. You will be fine, university will be amazing, and I hope to see you around campus next year.