Natalia Lee is finishing her MA in Social Anthropology – Humanitarian and Environmental Crises at Kent.
When I first started studying at the University of Kent, I was almost 25. My previous attempts at higher education and adult life had failed catastrophically, and I needed to try something new, preferably before my hair turned white. I enrolled as a student of Social Anthropology and began my journey in September 2017, eager to try something new, and hopeful for the future. In hindsight, I have to say that the future wasn’t quite what I planned, but there wasn’t much planning to begin with, in all honesty. I was one of the students who did not have things “figured out” from the get-go, and it made me nervous.
I was one of the students who did not have things “figured out” from the get-go, and it made me nervous.
I still remember being totally new to Canterbury. I’d never visited in my life and it had been years since my last trip to the UK. After several wrong turns on the way to campus, I eventually made it to Woolf for an induction for international students. Looking around the lecture theatre at all the young faces, I thought to myself, ‘what am I doing here?’ Being thrown right out of my comfort zone and into the university environment for the second time in my life was terrifying, and later down the line, I was relieved to find out that this was a sentiment shared by many of my peers, especially those younger than me.
To my surprise, I fell in love with my degree. The School of Anthropology and Conservation became a place studded with professors and coursemates I came to respect and love. On the average day, you would probably find me loitering around Marlowe, absentmindedly munching on another pre-packaged sandwich while waiting for my next class to start, or simply just reading or hanging out. I kept my head down and worked hard, but still made the time to socialise and enjoy myself. Things were going great! Then COVID-19 happened, and things changed.
I was halfway through my third year of undergraduate studies when the pandemic lockdown measures cracked down, right after a strike, no less. It was bizarre, because suddenly I didn’t need to make up excuses to not attend class because of my anxiety. Everything switched to staying home, and while it was a sudden upheaval in my university experience, it wasn’t entirely for the worse (I am sure that many of you reading this are inclined to disagree). My grades skyrocketed, I became closer to my professors and existing friends, and I was finally working at a pace that suited me. I graduated with a First. It was great! Or was it…
Everything switched to staying home, and while it was a sudden upheaval in my university experience, it wasn’t entirely for the worse (I am sure that many of you reading this are inclined to disagree).
Flash forward to autumn 2020, when I started my MA in Social Anthropology – Humanitarian and Environmental Crises. Despite the fact that everyone was out of sight, nobody was ever out of mind. WhatsApp and Facebook messages flourished, Zoom (and subsequently Teams) became a thing, but something was missing. By spring of 2021, everyone was glum and exhausted, no matter how chipper we were at the start of the year. It wasn’t so much discouraging as it was evident that what we were doing right now just wasn’t working. Concentration spans shortened, as did tempers. Writing an essay went from being a simple task to something that dragged out for weeks. And social skills? Those ceased to exist. Burnout was happening, and everyone was struggling.
My MA dissertation this year was borne from the stress of COVID lockdown. In my study, I explore the ways in which female students at the University of Kent approached their mental wellbeing during the past year and a half, particularly over the period of lockdown. People were dying from COVID, but the mental health crisis did not take a break while all of this was happening (and is still happening, for that matter). So here I am, sitting in my office and typing, as I have done for the past year and a half, trying to make sense of the mess outside.
My MA dissertation this year was borne from the stress of COVID lockdown. In my study, I explore the ways in which female students at the University of Kent approached their mental wellbeing during the past year and a half, particularly over the period of lockdown.
Four years ago, I became a University of Kent student without an aim in life. Right now, some days are better than others, and I try to be as optimistic as I can. As the job market internationally is in shambles, as graduate prospects seem a lot less shiny than they did even a few months ago, as the final weeks count down towards handing in my dissertation, it’s easy to lose hope. You’ve probably wanted to give up, throw in the towel, and maybe come back to uni later on. Maybe you already have. But still we scribble on, chasing our research, our dreams, and our futures.
The light at the end of the tunnel never went out. Compared to the rough journey of how it started for me, how it’s going now is really, when I put things into perspective, not that bad. In fact, I dare say that life is good overall. COVID-19 may be a global crises, but it has made us more resilient. Studying Humanitarian and Environmental Crises has put into perspective the strength that can be gained from a united solidarity in the face of crisis. As students, we have come to realise the value of being together and participating in similar experiences. We have banded together over the past year, even throughout the Teams lectures, and have forged friendships and closeness and knowledge against all odds. We have our health, and we have hope. This is a new beginning.
COVID-19 may be a global crises, but it has made us more resilient. Studying Humanitarian and Environmental Crises has put into perspective the strength that can be gained from a united solidarity in the face of crisis.
Lastly, if you’re having a rough time, please reach out for help. Check in on your buddies. Drink water. Set up a Zoom pizza night, if you’re still in lockdown. But don’t give up who you are, and don’t give up hope. If you’re struggling, contact Samaritans at 116 123. Stay safe, wash your hands, eat well. No matter how things started or how they’re going for you, life will always find a way to surprise you!
Find out more about the MA in Social Anthropology – Humanitarian and Environmental Crises at Kent.