Advice for students during coronavirus pandemic

Whether it is worry over money, exams or family and friends – perhaps all three – the COVID-19 pandemic is a stressful time for students.

While many will be at home with their families, and subsequently isolated from their natural peer support, many others will be unable to leave their student accommodation or, in some cases, be unable to return to their home country.

HISA depute president for the Scottish Association for Marine Science UHI MarieLouise Korte said: ‘HISA is operating online where our staff and officers will continue to serve students’ needs. Our main priority is the welfare of our students and we will continue to ensure they are supported to study in this new digital environment.

‘Communications from SAMS and the university has been immensely helpful in easing student concerns in Oban. Things may not be running as smoothly as they usually would, but we appreciate the hard work of our module leaders and student support teams in making the transition to online as easy as possible. Our health and well-being has been prioritised by staff and for that I am grateful.’

If you are feeling anxious or stressed, contact HISA, your student support officer, friends or family. You can also take simple steps to reduce the impact of isolation:

Get on that group chat Okay, you can’t meet face to face, but group chats and video calls are the next best thing. You’ll be amazed at the different ways in which people are coping with being housebound.

Stay safe

It is already a well-worn mantra, but regularly washing hands and maintaining social distancing will hugely reduce your risk of contracting the virus and subsequently passing it on. Staying indoors makes this a lot easier but in the Highlands and Islands we are blessed with space, so get your daily exercise too.

Give your mind some time off

At times of stress and uncertainty, our minds can wander and often arrive at some worst-case scenarios. Reassure yourself you are taking all the precautions to stay healthy and that your university is working hard to ensure yo are not being disadvantaged in your studies. It’s a scary time, but it’s not forever. Even if you do need to keep up to date with the latest coronavirus news, listen to one bulletin per day.

Coronavirus will be in the news for weeks and months to come, so pace yourself and consider whether push notifications and 24-hour news channels are a good idea. Listen to experts

With so much coronavirus news and advice on social media, it is difficult to know what to believe. Make sure your facts are from a trusted source, such as the NHS and public health outlets, and always think before you share.

For the latest information on the university’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, see www.uhi.ac.uk/coronavirus