University during Covid - How do I feel?

Covid. I'm sure we're all sick of hearing about it. New lockdowns, new restrictions, all new changes. University has had some major changes in order to allow students to continue studying and not all have been positive....

The biggest change has been the way our content is delivered. I currently have 3 contact hours a week, compared to 18 last year, that is a big drop. All my lectures and other sessions are held online via video calls except for drawing and CAD lessons which are better done in person. This lack on in-person learning makes it very easy to get distracted and very hard to feel connected to the projects we are doing.

I personally live alone away from other students and so I don't get the social interaction other students are currently getting in their student homes. I know people on my course who are living together and can still bounce ideas around and work together whereas I spend my days sat at a desk alone, sometimes struggling for inspiration, ideas or even motivation when I haven't left the house for a few days. However, I am thankful that I am able to have my own space away from others where I can fully concentrate when necessary.

With regards to our in-person lessons, less and less people turn up each week and just last week only 2 other people besides myself turned up.... it's almost ridiculous. I'm sure these lessons would be cancelled if there wasn't only 1 week left...

While in these lessons, everyone has to wear a mask, sit on their own table, wipe down any surfaces when we leave and not move around. It's very strange and quiet, which I feel is the biggest issue; how can we learn from others and help each other if we're too far apart to talk or even see their work? I do feel that some of these lessons could be completed online just as well. But, overall, I'm thankful for the 3 hours of being out of the house, even if it feels forced.

Our online classes are good. We get the same level of help, if not sometimes more, than we did in our first year. I just miss the social interaction of working within the studio. Sometimes when inspiration and motivation was low, just sitting in a room with 100 others who are all designing and working gives you push you need to get ideas on paper. I would sit at the table with my friends and discuss ideas with them, show each other our work, give feedback and criticisms when needed and now that element is virtually gone. I personally feel that this is the thing I miss most about in-person sessions.

I know these restrictions are necessary and my University are doing all they can to ensure that we are all safe, however, I do feel that the experience has not been the same as last year. Some of it has been better and some has been worse, but overall, it has been a huge shock to the system and I can't wait to get back into the studio and working with other young designers!