The most significant event of 2020 for me was the cancellation of GCSE exams across the country – news which left my Year 11 self stunned and confused. Fortunately, by then my school was well ahead on post-mock assessments and syllabus coverage. Less than a year later, history repeats itself for the next cohort waiting in line, but this time with a twist. The earlier announcement means that only a handful were given the opportunity to showcase marked improvement in their subjects. A third lockdown, with remote learning and lack of socialising, begs the question: how are they coping?
For Iyshi, a student at Wallington High School for Girls, the reinstated lockdown has ‘really taken its toll’ on her. The shift to online learning ‘confines’ her to her room and builds a restlessness that would otherwise be dispelled by the daily walk to school and physical transitions between lessons. Such emotional strain is not limited to Iyshi alone; a recent survey found that 80% of teenagers in the UK have suffered at least one mental health symptom since March last year.[1]Iyshi notes that classroom communication too has been hindered, particularly by the ineffectiveness of email as a means of querying teachers outside lesson hours. At the very least, the pandemic has opened her eyes to the ‘importance of mental strength and consistency’ – two attributes she urges those in lower year groups to aim for given the trying nature of current times.
Meanwhile, Minesh (studying at a local grammar school for boys) points out a recent decline in his own productivity, owing partly to the absence of a collaborative and ‘encouraging’ working environment. Another growing concern is the unchecked eating habits that have returned with lockdown. Being ‘far easier to get to than before’, calorie-rich snacks offer a dangerous distraction from the monotony of staring at a screen. Again, Minesh in not alone in this respect. In a survey conducted by King’s College London on all age groups, 48% of respondents reported weight gain during lockdown, with similar numbers admitting to increased anxiety levels.[2]
For Akshajan, a comprehensive school student from Mitcham, the biggest issue of all is uncertainty. To him, exam cancellations signify the loss of both invaluable preparation for A-Levels and a tangible reward for years of dedication. His frustrations are only amplified by ever-present technical difficulties, including a ‘crippling’ four-week Internet outage which set him back hours of classwork. Nevertheless, the confirmation of centre-assessed grades provides ample motivation for Akshajan to continue his studies with great forethought. After all, if this experience has taught him anything, it is the value of ‘planning for every possibility’.
The insights shared by these students barely scratch the surface. Millions of others (myself included) can relate to the challenges of staying afloat amidst such a turbulent educational crisis. As ever, the only power we have is over ourselves, so the best we can do is rely on individual discipline and patience to get us through the eye of the storm.
References
[1] Panorama: The Virus vs the Vaccine. [online] BBC iPlayer. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000rggf/panorama-the-virus-vs-the-vaccine [Accessed 30 Jan. 2021]
[2] Lockdown and weight gain – should you worry? [online] BBC Food. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/lockdown_health_tips [Accessed 30 Jan. 21]
