Saving towards university costs, exams changes and a big shift in socialising are some challenges facing Manx students due to the pandemic.

Covid-19 has impacted university students who are in the heart of their exam season or have now graduated and are seeking work.

Concerns have also been raised on what the next academic year entails for UK universities with the Guardian reporting that universities are expecting to see 230,000 fewer students apply for 2020.

This would not only have implications on the economy, but it is believed the financial impact on these institutions could lead to some reduced education in future.

Mark O’Connor, a Keele University law degree student from Onchan, shared what it is like having to adjust to lockdown changes while living at home in the Isle of Man.

Instead of exams, the second year student is given 24 hours to complete open-book assignments.

He said exams are a heated debate in the UK with many students urging their university to sign a ’no-detriment policy’ to ensure they get their average grade achieved in the year or higher, provided they pass the semester.

’It’s a very strange time to be a student and for the education sector,’ he said. ’Cost saving measures have been put in place and now it’s online learning, which is working very well.

’Manx students have been using Google online classroom for a lot of their secondary education, so you are really prepared for this type of learning.

’I think people across the board are starting to realise this could be the normal.’

However, staying focused can sometimes prove difficult due to the level of distraction of being at home, he said.

The 20-year-old feels empathetic towards third year law students who have finished their degree and cannot continue with their next step in their crucial training due to legal practices being closed.

Mark is disappointed that due to the pandemic he will be missing out on his work experience, a mini-pupillage to get a taste of the Bar, which he’d arranged in the UK this summer. Luckily for him he was told that they would like to have him on the scheme once the pandemic is over.

Holidays are used as an opportunity to save towards the costs of university. With lockdown being in place, this has meant students cannot earn a living if they are working in the gig economy.

’It’s a tricky situation,’ Mark said. ’A large part of my income was gained during the summer, but there are people in a much worse situation.’

Independence

He feels fortunate to be furloughed for one of his roles as a stage technician.

With university known for being a time of independence, Mark said he was okay being back at home and that it is ’nice to be with the family’.

’Being in lockdown in the Isle of Man has been a really good environment to be in,’ he added.

For returning students being back at home usually means catching up with friends and trips to the Outback - something they will have to wait for.

Mark said: ’Having a video chat can never be a replacement with having someone to speak to in person. Mental well-being for students is of huge importance. There are lots of online resources to help them deal with stresses while they’re isolated from friends, and in some cases, families.’

During his time in lockdown, he has realised it’s important to keep to a routine as ’it could become very easy to lie in bed all day’. He also tries to study in different rooms, rather than his bedroom.

Mark has joined ’Manx Uni-Verse’, a Facebook group where Year 12 pupils looking to go to university can connect with current Manx undergraduates.