Within the specific context of students, we’ve very immediately transitioned into a disconnected, robotic and digital, 2D lifestyle - a foreign academic disconnection influencing often minimal confidence within our capabilities, consistent question marks, self-doubt and concerns regarding our future opportunities 

We have had to normalise, and behaviourally adapt within this totally new environment – facing the challenge of maintaining organic engagement without the physical academic environment and the countless distractions at home

The primary aspect of the University experience is meeting likeminded people, networking, forming life-long relationships. A process which unintentionally pushes you towards self-discovery, forming your identity, solidifying your characteristics – all of which has been taken away due to the strict regulations and restrictions.

But despite the somewhat inadequate elements of learning via Microsoft Teams, University has offered a distraction. An opportunity to immerse yourself within education, engage, develop your knowledge, and set achievable goals. It offers a comforting sense of structure to the painfully repetitive days of lockdown – providing a sense of productivity and keeps our minds active, which is thus positive for mental health.

This obscure time has also influenced students to develop their internal motivation, to become independent, to take initiative and responsibility – highlighting only a few of the transferable skills which we’ll no-doubt cultivate throughout the global pandemic.

In this episode we also discuss the rising mental health issues, and how the significantly reduced opportunity for human connection, socialisation, face to face interaction is having a detrimental affect on individuals’ confidence, self-esteem, and overall personal development.