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Coronavirus Kent: Students reveal struggle of working from home

Anxious students have revealed the struggle of adapting to working at home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, which both have campuses in Medway and Canterbury, suspended all face-to-face teaching last week.

The University of Kent
The University of Kent

The University of Greenwich - which has a campus in Chatham - also ditched lectures for online lessons.

But students have told KentOnline how "stressed" they are - with some fearing they will not be able to attend their graduation.

Some international students had to make the heartbreaking decision to choose between staying on campus or flying back home.

One of them, Medway-based Isabel Maršāne, from Latvia, said: "I had to leave university with only a day's notice because my home country’s borders were closing, and I know many other international students had the same experience.

"So it’s been very stressful coming home and adjusting to the situation.

Isabel Maršāne, 19. Picture: Isabel Maršāne
Isabel Maršāne, 19. Picture: Isabel Maršāne

"I wasn’t able to bring home a lot of books and I obviously don't have access to the library, so that makes all of my essays a little more complicated - but my lecturers have been very helpful."

She says she has been having online classes on Zoom regularly and been given extensions on assignments.

She added: "Working from home is difficult because there are so many distractions. At university I would go to the library and work, but at home its so much easier to procrastinate."

University of Kent student Chloe Rose says one of her assignments is a documentary film, but she is unable to finish it due to the lockdown.

"It’s super hard to concentrate when you're working in your bedroom," the 22-year-old said. "It’s lost it’s place of being somewhere to relax.

Chloe Rose, 22. Picture: Chloe Rose
Chloe Rose, 22. Picture: Chloe Rose

"After working hard for three years, it’s really hard to accept your last piece of work won't be to the standard you imagined it would be when you started it.

"I feel like I’ve been robbed of my last day of university - being with my whole year altogether, my last exam at university, and my last night out.

"We’re not even sure if we will have a graduation which is just heartbreaking."

Chloe says she feels "stressed and anxious", not only about her work, but not knowing if there will be any job opportunities.

Another international student, Charlotte Balmer, said she had to make the difficult decision to stay in the UK, rather than return to her home country, France.

Charlotte Balmer, 22. Picture: Isabel Maršāne
Charlotte Balmer, 22. Picture: Isabel Maršāne

"It feels like the world is crumbling around us but we still have to keep up with our deadlines," the 22-year-old said.

"I know I’m safe and privileged on so many levels - I have support from the university and my parents and friends back home.

"But the atmosphere is really hard to cope with.

"It’s a challenge to work from home, it’s hard to concentrate and stay positive. But my housemates and I are doing the best we can to avoid negativity."

Kent criminology student Alejandro Javierre is also struggling.

Alejandro Javierre said he was confused to start with. Picture: Camille Houghton-Grimshaw
Alejandro Javierre said he was confused to start with. Picture: Camille Houghton-Grimshaw

"I’ll be honest, it was confusing for the first week, and going from a really contact-hour heavy course to being completely free has been a bit of a shock," the 20-year-old said.

"The online lectures are a weird transition too.

"When I was on campus I’d use the breaks in between classes to get the majority of my coursework done, but now I’m finding it really difficult to get a good timetable going."

What have the universities said?

A spokesperson for Canterbury Christ Church University says its priority is to reassure students it is working with them to support their progress.

WATCH: KMTV speaks to international students at the University of Kent

"We understand and acknowledge their concerns and are putting in place extra support for their studies, as well as supporting those who remain in accommodation," they said.

"Our students are receiving virtual teaching and tutorials using a variety of platforms. Student Support is continuing to offer support remotely, via email, telephone or video appointment, as well as other services online. We have also changed our extension procedures to help with final year students completing their course.

"Student Wellbeing advisers are available remotely if students are worried about their wellbeing or finances and we have pledged additional resources to the Exceptional Support Fund to support students who find themselves in extreme financial hardship as a result of Covid-19."

The University of Kent is updating its website daily with new advice and information.

Takeaway food is being provided to students on campus and the Co-op shop remains open.

Accommodation for students on campus remains open with only the essential services needed to support them maintained. All other university buildings are now closed.

The University of Greenwich, based in Medway, has moved to virtual campuses and its accommodation is now working remotely.

Security, cleaning and maintenance is operating in the halls as usual.

Adobe Creative Cloud is available to students in all faculties who are studying remotely.

Student wellbeing is available online and by phone, and one-to-ones and weekly virtual drop-ins are available with tutors.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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