LPodcast’N #2: Studying at home + societies and the SU + the nightmare of balancing retail and Uni work! (w/ transcript)

With endless lockdowns and the sudden rise of online learning, it’s one of the most difficult times to be a student. Last week I spoke to new Student Team members Nuura, Salma and Rachel to find out about the experiences they’ve had studying remotely, in finding ways to keep socialising online, and the benefits of working part time with the Student Team!

Students Union IG: https://www.instagram.com/manchester_su/

Students Union: https://manchesterstudentsunion.com/

UoM Library: https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/using-the-library/students/

Transcript

Xavier: Welcome everyone to the weekly LPN podcasts. I’m Xavier, I studied history at the Uni of Manchester last year and then started working for the Library Peer Network in October. Each week we’re going to have a different theme. Last week, if anyone listened was about exams, just kind of the experiences that a couple of our student team members have had with exams and how to revise for exams, that kind of thing, especially at the Uni Manchester. This week, kind of in line and on topic with the things that students are going through at the moment, we’re going to be talking about studying from home, with Covid, how people have dealt with studying from home during lockdown. And to do that, we’re joined by three new student team members who have only recently started working for the student team and the LPN as well. Do you three want to introduce yourselves just a little bit about what you study, and how you started working for the student team as well?

Salma: Hi, my name is Salma and like you said, I’m new to the student team and I’m super excited to be a part of this wonderful team. I’m a second year student and I study international relations and politics so I have a lot of opinions and I can’t wait to share.

Rachel: Hi, I’m Rachel. I am currently a Masters sociology student part time and I’ve been at the University for a while now ’cause I studied, fashion buying and merchandising, and graduated in 2019 as well. And last year I was also doing an internship with the Manchester Graduate talent team so, feel like a bit of an Oldie now.

Nuura: Hi, I’m Nuura I’m a first year architecture student and I’m also new to the student team, so I’m just happy to share my opinions on widening participation and the Library Peer Network.

Xavier: So lots to unpack there, we’ve got a wide range of experiences at the Uni of Manchester, a Masters student and a first year student. What has this year being like studying with Covid for you, Salma, obviously you had last year as well. Maybe start there, because I kind of went through the same thing of having to finish my year with Covid. What was that like for you and how did you find it?

Salma: Um, honestly, it was just so strange and bizarre the whole time, because, you were new in the beginning and you’re just getting used to everything. And I felt like just as I was comfortable, right, Covid had come and struck. So I just think that with Covid and being a student, you have to really prioritize things and put them into perspective and not feel as frustrated all the time, yeah?

Xavier: Yeah, yeah, that’s definitely. I can relate to that. Well, what happened for me was ’cause I was doing a Masters. A History Masters and it was like the first, like six months or whatever the first five months I was on a roll doing really well and Covid hit and I was like “oh like what am I gonna do?” I kind of struggled to adapt at the start. I found it quite hard. Has it been the same for you Nuura and Rachel, coming in knowing that Covid was going to kind of affect your learning.

Nuura: Yeah, since I haven’t gone in, I think I’ve only been once, but this has been going on since my A-levels so I’m used to it now, but it’s obviously it’s frustrating because my course is very design based. We need to be in studio, we need to be inside the workshops but instead we’re working from home. And we don’t have the correct equipment, so it’s really big struggle, but I mean, we’re getting used to it.

Xavier: Yeah, I guess it’s that kind of thing you just need to get used. It took me a while. It took me a while honestly.

Rachel: Yeah, I was going to say just to add to Salma and Nuura. I definitely feel one of the luckier people because obviously I’ve done my undergraduate and that was much more of a practical degree. So that was out of the way and I was working last time for the University and it was difficult ’cause obviously we had to get used to things, but I think there’s definitely, as mentioned before, I think there’s definitely a bit of prep time for me, so I kind of got used to it. It wasn’t easy. But I think again as Salma said about the sort of perspective, I think that’s something that I’ve, I feel really happy to finally have though, because as much as it’s really important to focus on your studies, I feel like there’s definitely more of a permission, and there should have been originally, obviously, but I think there’s definitely more of a personal permission for you to get up and actually have break from studying and to really look after yourself, so hopefully that’s one of the positives that we go forward with. But yeah, it’s definitely been one of those experiences that we’re going to learn a lot from, I think.

Xavier: Is there anything, in terms of the social side of things as well, being new to the uni, not necessarily knowing people before you get here is that kind of how have you managed to work your way through that side of it.

Salma: Um, I was gonna say to Nuura that it’s actually such a shame that you didn’t get that much time on campus because it’s such a nice community, especially for international students. And I would say even if you’re just a newbie and you’re just in the area, you can go in and you’ll find all of these people who are really friendly and would love to talk to you. So it really is a shame, but there’s always going to be, hopefully, opportunities in the future.

Nuura: Yeah, I mean the most you can do is social media, but even that is not as personal as actually meeting people and not being able to go out with people.

Xavier: Have you met anyone, or know anyone, on your course?

Nuura: I’ve only met one person and the rest is just through the camera. So there’s only so much you can even really do.

Salma: It’s so different because lectures, like actual in life lectures, are so different to online ones, yeah.

Rachel: Definitely, and I think one positive that has, I mean from my experience, that’s happened this year, I think a lot of societies through the Union have been really good with engaging with people. So obviously you have to network with them in the first place, but at the same time…So for example, I’ve been lucky to be part of the pole dance and burlesque fitness society for about five years now, but from seeing what they’ve done this year, they’ve done a really good job of sort of just engaging with students and sort of maintaining everyone’s wellbeing. So that’s been a nice thing. But yeah, like similar to both of you like, I think, just the social media, chatting side of it’s been good, but it’s been a bit difficult in comparison to actually going on to campus so.

Xavier: But yeah, that is a good avenue, the Students Union. All of the societies still going through the process of getting people in and socializing.

Rachel: Definitely, I think it’s one of those things that like, I suppose it’s really difficult to engage with it at the moment ’cause obviously we’ve just got so much of the stuff on top, but it’s definitely a place that I’ve found a lot of help, just generally, socially, and even if you don’t end up participating in activities, it’s still another sort of avenue for talking to people, which is good.

Xavier: So there’s obviously the Students Union website, which people can go to and all of the — they all have Facebook pages, don’t they?

Salma: Yeah they do. Yeah, I think a lot of societies too, they’re trying to do online events and they’re trying to get creative with it. I think the International Society was one of them as well, like the ones I personally attended, like in the beginning of the year when I was reminiscing about…

Xavier: I think when I got to, ’cause my first year was my Masters year, so as soon as I got to the Uni of Manchester I just went to the freshers fair, like signed up to everything that I could.

Rachel: I was just about to say that, like I wonder how, if the same thing is happening where people sign up to like seven societies, and then realize probably a bit much, but it’s good to have a couple there so.

Xavier: Did you get the option to do that Nuura, to sign up to societies?

Nuura: I’m actually not sure. I think I maybe had the option to sign up online, but I don’t think I went for any.

Xavier: They don’t really like promote it in the same way.

Nuura: No, I don’t really remember seeing anything. I guess they probably did, maybe through email or on the website, but I don’t really remember.

Xavier: Yeah, I think in person, it’s a lot more obvious ’cause everyone just kind of jams into the student union building, everyone’s walking around…

Rachel: Oxford Road is just manic isn’t it?

Xavier: Yeah, so that’s kind of how I think I got dragged in.

Nuura: Yeah normally it’s very obvious that you’re walking down the road and they’ve got Domino’s and all the shops doing discounts as well.

Xavier: Yeah, we need to do a better job of guiding people towards the societies, that they can get involved in, where to find or scout their interests.

Salma: Definitely.

Xavier: OK, so just working from home in general. Have you had any experiences, either positive or negative, that you’ve learned from or taught you how to work from home better? What you learned in the last like year, it’s been nearly 12 months.

Salma: Yeah, full year, almost a full year.

Xavier: Crazy. What works well and what doesn’t work well, have you found?

Salma: For me, just literally just charging my laptop was an accomplishment because sometimes I would just forget overnight, and then I missed everything the next day. So just charging everything, I also have like a bunch of siblings. So it was kind of hectic at the start. ’cause they’re also going to online events as well, so everyone just using the Internet just kind of balancing out that, and then going into your own personal location, even if it was just like the middle of the closet, I would just go in and and close the door and have the secluded space. What do you guys think?

Xavier: I think that was the same for me to be honest. ’cause I can’t revise if I’m in my room. I’ll just go to my bed and just do nothing for the whole day.

Salma: Yeah, you have to physically move around, you know?

Rachel: Definitely. I think the thing for me is it’s a bit weird. So for me like the accessibility side of it, for my mental health disability. It’s been both positive and negative, ’cause I’ve not had to commute in and worry about sort of really crammed buses or trains in the same way, it’s been nice. When we could sort of go a bit more onto campus and just go for a wander, that’s that was good, but I think being in my own home environment has been quite nice, because I’ve actually been able to sleep better. I’ve not had to rush around, I’ve been able to cook much better for myself, probably the best I’ve ever been able to myself, and that’s been really helpful. But at the same time, it’s the idea of, you know if you’re in a small flat is quite claustrophobic. It’s difficult. Sort of staying in the same area and not going out for different walks across the country as much and I think again more the major issues I’ve had, but I’ve been able to put in boundaries in place for is kind of the sensory overload from screens. Because it not just tires me out, but it actually makes me quite panicky a lot. Kind of as a result that’s been really challenging. And obviously it’s quite exhausting to explain that to everyone that might not have the same experience. But again, I think ’cause everyone is experiencing something difficult with it. That’s kind of been nice to at least talk about and sort of acknowledge with each other. It’s definitely been a mixed one, but I think it’s one of those things that just learning to go forward with, it’s been working really well to have boundaries, so yeah.

Xavier: Yeah, I feel that. I normally just throw my phone underneath the bed. I’m like, OK don’t look at my phone

Salma: That’s a good idea

Xavier: Because if I don’t throw my phone under the bed, then I’m just like drawn to it whenever I’m feeling bored.

Rachel: Just stares at you.

Nuura: I mean, early on I could just go to the library and I’ll book the library for like a good couple hours, get all my deadlines done, but even now it’s harder to book to go in, so it’s especially hard to find a workspace at home that you’re not going to be distracted in, but you gotta have enough space to actually work and get everything done. Especially when a lot of people maybe come from households where it’s more cramped and you’re not gonna have space to actually set out your work and have a quiet environment. It’s really stressful.

Xavier: Yeah, yeah, definitely stressful. Actually I think one of the things that the uni does, they have like these revision sessions where you can join a zoom, sat with other people who are studying and even though you’re in, wherever, it’s kind of like you get the mindset of you’re studying with people.

Nuura: Yeah, I’ve seen those on the Manchester Library Website.

Xavier: Is that something you’d ever do or find helpful?

Nuura: Um, I mean, I don’t do any revision for my subject so it’s mostly I’m just literally on my floor cutting out pieces and stuff. But it would probably help, with ’cause sometimes my friends do group FaceTime when we’re working, just so we can have an environment where you have someone to tell you keep working instead of going on your phone or something.

Xavier: Yeah. How have you found architecture. Because last week we had Jakub who studies physics and we had Simone who studies cognitive neuroscience and I can’t even comprehend the level of intelligence that you must need to… but I feel like architecture is the same kind of thing.

Nuura: I think architecture has really really high workload. I think I saw something where it was 20 something personal study hours a week. I don’t know if I’m even doing that, but it’s like we have assignments every week. We have a deadline every week to get to. So it’s got a point now where I have to properly schedule when I’m going to do my work, because it’s not something I can like cram into one night. You can’t really cram a drawing or cram a model, or it’s just going to look bad. And the quality of work people produce is really high as well, so you need to make sure that you try match up.

Rachel: I was gonna say is it almost like a sort of full time working week?

Nuura: Yeah, yeah. It’s really stressful, especially if you’re trying to cram it all in one night. I’m never doing that again.

Xavier: Yeah, yeah, it is definitely important. Scheduling is definitely important. Okay, so other than that, I think a lot of the things we’ve posted into the Library Peer Network, kind of like networking things that students can get involved with. The different groups around the Uni, ’cause even now still with Covid there’s still like loads of things going on around the Uni, online and stuff. Is that, do you think that would help with your studies…just like getting involved with things around the uni, or is that a lot to ask like at a time like this?

Rachel: I think just having one, obviously I think like we said before this, you know previously when we’re actually in person, there was such a pressure to join every single society. Every single group that you wanted to or you were interested in. And I think that could be overwhelming obviously. But I think even just having, even just joining one group or something other than your course, even if you don’t even talk on the group chats, you’re just sort of there and check in on the odd occasion and read them. I think it’s just nice to feel part of something. Which I’ve found really helpful, just kind of keeps me quite sane in all of this.

Xavier: Well, you’re part of this, you’re all studying and just started working for the student team. So how have you found that?

Rachel: I think for me, it’s definitely been helpful. So during my whole undergrad I was actually working part time in retail and that was quite difficult ’cause I was obviously having to be very present and on my feet. And it wasn’t sort of around the Uni groups. And actually, this is been so far really, really good for me, ’cause it’s just been nice to still have that sort of…It’s actually put a bit more structure into my week to sort of be able to get on with things and have to say “right, you’ve got this time working” So you know, the eight hours isn’t too much, but it’s enough to be like “right, some structure, here’s some great people I’m going to speak with and work with today”. And I think it’s just really helps me engage a bit more with things again.

Nuura: Yeah, same as Rachel. I was working retail early on and it’s so stressful where they will call you in anytime, you have to be around people, especially as well when it’s Covid, but you have to be around people 24/7 and it’s really hard when you’re trying to balance your work. Like right now, I can do this and then straightway switch to my work right after. And it’s so much more structured and so much more relaxing than having to go to the retail environment and have to interact all day and have to sometimes deal with rude people.

Salma: I would definitely agree. I mean, I was lucky enough to do a lot of volunteering last year, especially in the beginning. So I kinda miss those experiences, but now with part time work I find that you don’t have to commute anywhere, so you save some time. So it is pretty low key and you can relax and structure your day. It’s quite great honestly, in that aspect.

Xavier: OK, so I’ll just wrap up by saying thank you to all of you for coming along to speak about your experiences at the Uni of Manchester, and also that there’s lots of support or things out there for students that they can get involved with or where they can find support for studying. Like I mentioned the Library Drop In Sessions and the Students Union, any of the societies people can join.

Rachel: I was going to say the Student Unions Instagram is really helpful, which I think is @Manchester_SU, they’re really helpful with highlighting things as well.

Xavier: Yeah, so when we post this tomorrow, I’ll just include some links in the post along with it for people to find what they’re looking for. But yeah, thank you to Nuura, Salma and to Rachel for coming along and speaking about their experiences at the Uni of Manchester. Thanks guys.