Learning during lockdown. The ‘corona class’ talk about starting a degree online

Butterflies in the stomach, fears they may not fit in and getting lost on the way to the library have been part and parcel of ‘fresher nerves’ for first year university students for many years.

But what have students in the ‘corona class’ been feeling as they started degrees entirely online, with lecturers seen only on laptop screens and with home as their campus?

University of Northampton’s newest class – totalling 46 Nursing students – started in April when most of the world was in lockdown and face-to-face teaching at Waterside had ceased.

Despite this, the support on offer has been extensive from the outset, with the University’s Nursing team and fellow students going out of their way to help them ease in to virtual learning as comfortably as possible:

• Students were phoned on a 1:1 basis to welcome them to their course
• Smaller group sessions were held to help students get acquainted with UON software
• ‘Drop-in’ rooms were held several times a week and across all times of the day – sometimes until 10pm – in which anything could be discussed
• Course advocate sessions that were minuted and action planned
• Personal tutors speak with students each week to increase contact time
• They all receive inspirational and motivational quotes for the day or tips for physical and mental wellbeing.

Natalie Shilcock (top left of the photo) is studying Adult Nursing and has four children aged between three and 14. She said: “I was really excited to get going but it was scary at first as I was ‘on my own’, so to speak. Communicating with people virtually is a bit weird, but I took an Access course last year which was mostly taught online, so this isn’t a totally new experience. So much so, my kids have hardly commented about how long I’m on the computer because it already is the ‘new normal’ to them!”

Vida Boakye is studying to be a Mental Health Nurse (top middle): “I felt uncertain when the degree first started; I didn’t know what studying online would be like in practice. But when the first week was out of the way, things started to become much clearer.

“One thing I noticed was something quite small. You get a free laptop on some courses and mine was fully charged and ready for me to use when I received it. It’s little things like this that helped me see the team have put a lot of thought into the finer details and that they care.”

Shona Cooper (top right) is also studying Mental Health Nursing and like Natalie and Vida manages learning online with having a family at home: “I have two kids under the age of two which is challenging itself at times, so studying at home was difficult.

“But as the weeks passed, I realised that starting a degree online works quite well. I have to get up early in the morning to get my children ready, so going in to the University in person would have added an extra level of logistics.”

Nassara Said (bottom left), who is studying Children’s and Young People’s Nursing, felt there were two things that stood out: “Firstly, the teamwork from the lecturers was obvious. Secondly, although I found the very start of the course stressful – there were a lot of new things to get used to – any problems were ironed out really quickly. I had trouble getting started with one piece of software but my personal tutor was on to it straight away.”

Anita Utubor (bottom middle) is studying Adult Nursing and said how her UON degree is helping her fulfil a long-head professional ambition: “I’ve worked for many years as a Healthcare Assistant but it’s always been my dream to be a nurse. I thought the pandemic would keep me waiting a little longer but, to my amazement, the course not only got going but it’s going really well.

“For my first lecture I did think: ‘Is this real? Is it happening?!’ It’s all been very exciting but I’m more excited about starting lessons at Waterside.”

In addition, Second Year Children’s and Young People’s Nursing student Emma Hall (bottom right) held peer support sessions: “I started a support network in January as I feel first year students really benefit from having the second-year perspective.

“I know being down the end of a cable can’t replace meeting someone in person, but I wanted to do something to help them feel less alone. Comments have been really positive so we’re looking at hosting future sessions.”

Do you want to join them? Check out the University’s website for details about Nursing degrees.