The Covid-19 pandemic has flipped the world upside down. Many people have been affected by this pandemic, ranging from business owners, to employees. However, there has been one major group of people whose lives have been heavily changed: Students.
During the summer of 2020, Gavin Williamson announced that GCSEs as well as A-level examinations are to be cancelled, and teacher predicted grades are to be used. This came to be known as one of the biggest U-turns of summer. There have been a wide variety of responses to this action. However, I can say, personally, that this has felt like an unfair choice. Not only have students not been able to prove themselves in the final examination, but they unknowingly and unintentionally verified their grades through the numerous internal assessments given by the school. Now, having recently received our official certificates for the GCSES and A-levels, there is nothing to be done about it. This decision is now permanently embedded into our records, which is especially unfair for those who deserved better, or could achieve better grades. Because of this, our dreams we wish to achieve in university may very well have fallen apart because of something that was not in our control.
However, not only is the cancellation of exams affecting our student lives, but how the world has changed due to Covid-19. Especially for those who seek work experience, or extra-curricular. Shops, businesses, and events have closed all around the UK. Because of this, it is exceptionally more difficult for those who wish to do more, to find a job or to do extra events. This not only limits the limited freedom we have as students, but it also restrains the variety of different things we are able to put into our CVs. Particularly for medical or dental students, who requires work experience in Hospitals or GPs if they seek to go to medical schools.
Despite all the regulations such as mask wearing and social distancing, in addition to the restrictions in our exams and outer school experiences, schools are still trying their absolute best in normalising our everyday lives and ensuring that we sustain a good mental health.
