New Semester, New Lockdown
A glimpse on the lives of university students during MCO 2.0
A new semester is back, but Covid is not leaving us any time soon. For many students, MCO 2.0’s unsolicited visit at the onset of the new semester has drastically affected their studying experiences in college or university. TLMUN Herald has been reaching out to students across the country to chronicle the various feelings towards their academic and social life during this unprecedented time. Through this survey, TLMUN hopes readers could share and relate to the pleasures and hardships endured by these students.
Do you have to change your college/university plans due to the lockdown? If so, what are they?
No. I don’t need to as lockdown is part of the norm now and you’d just have to live with it. However, it would have been better if there were physical classes as I would have gotten a chance to interact with my teachers. Few difficulties that had to be overcome eventually, is to research during the lockdown instead of doing physical observations, understanding the lectures by using the resources available and finding the time balance between off-screen time and online lessons.
— Tripta Sanju Daryanani, Foundation in Arts, Taylor’s College
Yes. Usually, every student would travel to the campus to attend a face to face classes like they used to. However, MCO 2.0 has repeated the issues that we have met during March 2020. The teaching method was fully online and I had to make sure the internet connection was strong enough to support online meetings as there were many similar issues about Internet connectivity happening among students.
—Yeoh Jing Wenn, Bachelor in Business Management, Segi College Penang
How’s your social life? Did you make new friends?
2020 was a year of solitude for me. Trapped in my house, unable to interact with people except through my computer screen. Online classes are different from the physical classes and it took me some time to adjust to it. Even though online classes have their merits, it’s still best to have physical classes where we can interact and live without any barriers. So when the cases dropped to below 10 during July 2020, I always thought that I’ll be going to university, expand my social circle and meet new friends. However, I didn’t expect the pandemic will hinder my chance of doing that again in the year 2021. But I understand that MCO 2.0 is for the benefit of everyone and I’ll do my part to the best of my abilities.
— Oon Jun Jie, Asasi Pintar UKM, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
My social life was as usual but with lesser bonding time as going out was not a good option and I can only contact my friends virtually. I did not get the chance to make new friends because I’m mostly at home.
— Yew Jin Ran, Bachelor in Corporate Administration, University Tunku Abdul Rahman College
How’s your relationship with the lecturers?
My relationship with the lecturers is considerably quite good as we can seek help and ask questions to them through online platforms. The lecturers were kind and helpful as they are willing to respond to help us out. I admit some of them did not teach very well and this makes the students feel bored during the classes but they are humble and would take various initiatives to approach the students. Besides that, they would even ask the students whether there are places for improvement in regards to their teaching. Some of the lecturers are also friendly and crack jokes during classes and this makes the class feel more energetic and interesting.
—Phuah Zi Song, Foundation in Science, University Tunku Abdul Rahman
The lecturers try their best to update everyone regarding the changes, interact by doing ice-breaking activities, and record their lectures to benefit everyone in different time zones. My lecturers try their best to give everyone their attention equally or when needed. This was mainly done by checking up on us through times and giving us their number for any enquiries or concerns.
— Tripta Sanju Daryanani, Foundation in Arts, Taylor’s College
So far the only difference from normal physical class is that we can’t meet our lecturers face to face. Hence, I can still manage to have good communication with them virtually such as via WhatsApp and email. In this way, we can still maintain our relationship with the lecturers and look for them when there is any doubt.
— Yeoh Jing Wenn, Bachelor in Business Management, Segi College Penang
How has studying during MCO impacted your mental health?
It has its ups and downs. On one hand, it switched everything online therefore, I managed to get in touch with different nationalities from different countries. It expanded my social network in a way; on the other hand, the reality of not being able to meet people physically still cannot compensate for interpersonal emptiness despite the wide use of technology to interact with other people.
—Yong Zheng Ng, University of London Bachelor of Law, Brickfields Asia College
MCO has affected stress levels or the pressure to understand during online classes, given there are no more options. The fact that this pandemic has repetitively affected people’s lives through academics, physical & mental health, has taken over our lives and it’s not controllable sometimes. But I always try to look at the positive side and look at the benefits or the good memories made rather than the other side. Stay positive!
—Tripta Sanju Daryanani, Foundation in Arts, Taylor’s College
During MCO, we had no choice but to study at home. Although this has saved my time and energy on travelling, however, my mental health has been affected as I couldn’t fully concentrate on the modules and lectures online due to various forms of distraction. So, I would prefer a physical class compared to virtual classes.
—Yeoh Jing Wenn, Bachelor in Business Management, Segi College Penang
In days of solitude, we hope this article could remind us that the challenges we face are commonly frustrating for everyone and that it’s fine to admit vulnerability and uncertainty braving along such an arduous academic path. With that, don’t forget to take care or ask about the people that matter to you most. Stay healthy, and stay safe!
[Written by: Yew Jun Hao]
