Feature: Socially distanced student life?

In the midst of this global pandemic, normal life is, unsurprisingly, far from reach. Social distancing has become a disquieting norm, impacting most - if not all - aspects of our lives.

For schools and universities in particular, maintaining a two-metre distance between staff and students alike presents multiple obstacles and challenges few of us were prepared for.

As we move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in Scotland, the future of university learning for current and prospective students is uncertain to say the least. A socially-distanced world will drastically alter the way universities run their day to day lectures, tutorials and more.

However, university life involves far more than just academic learning. Current University of Edinburgh student, Freya, tells me:

“The reasons why people come to university aren’t just academic. Quite a few people in my school expressed interest in university purely for the ‘university lifestyle’, the communal living, partying, and freedom from parents. We are facing a situation where, for some time at least, the ‘university lifestyle’ that so many young people seek will be all but impossible.”

Indeed, opportunities to socialise in bars, clubs, and student societies will undoubtedly be limited in this new socially-distanced world. Student theatre, sporting events, bustling pub crawls and crammed nightclubs will likely be non-existent for quite some time.

Furthermore, many other aspects of student life remain uncertain. How will access to the library be managed, for example? What about students who require access to labs, or other equipment inaccessible from their homes? How will student accommodation facilitate social distancing? Currently, few of these questions have answers.

Different universities in Edinburgh have published several statements outlining their broad plans for the new academic year; however, these have a strong theme of uncertainty running through them. For example, Edinburgh Napier University’s message to current and prospective students explains: “We are making our campuses safe and preparing for social distancing so that face-toface teaching will start as soon as possible… While there is still uncertainty about the extent to which travel and work will be returning to normal, we are preparing for our teaching to be available remotely in case it proves impossible for you to be present on campus in September.”

Other universities in Edinburgh have published similar statements. Queen Margaret University has stated: “We plan a mix of on-campus and online activity (commonly referred to as blended delivery).”

It would seem a blended-model of online and on-campus learning is set to be the norm at each of Edinburgh’s universities for the foreseeable future. Yet, specifics and concrete plans have yet to be set out. Indeed, certainty is perhaps something I and other students have taken for granted in the past. Nevertheless, one thing is for certain: the student life we left behind in March 2020 is long gone.

This article was written by Cara McKeown. Cara is a former Balerno High School pupil who is going on to study a Publishing Masters at Edinburgh Napier University. She is a Social Anthropology graduate and intersectional feminist interested in bachata dancing, painting, and yoga.