GEN-Z VIEW: graduation plans interrupted

Back in March, my university made a sudden announcement that all lectures will be cancelled and converted to online lectures. Like for many other students around the world, the Covid-19 pandemic cut short my final year as a law student in the UK. I was able to attend some of my classes at the start of the year, but due to the sudden change to an online teaching format, I now find it challenging to learn the material from my second semester modules.

I had to make the quick decision to buy my airplane ticket back home to Malaysia quickly. As Easter break was just a couple of weeks away, many of my friends decided to return home earlier. Some of my friends, who are also international students, were caught in a dilemma as they had to scramble to pack up their entire dorm in a few days due to the decrease in available flights and increases in ticket prices. I was concerned at how my assignments would be assessed, but thankfully my university was quick to provide us with updates about their future plans. My written exam has now been converted to an online open book exam.

Sady, I was not able to say good bye to some of my university friends I made while studying in the UK, whom I spent a lot of time with during my studies. I was also devastated to hear that my graduation this year has been cancelled.

When I read caught wind of the pandenmic, I immediately began taking the necessary precautions. I minimized my time outside and carried hand sanitizer everywhere.  My flatmate and I sanitized every single grocery item, our winter coats, bags, and shoes, before entering back into our flat. Prior to my flight back home, I wore a face mask and brought with me plastic gloves, antiseptic wipes, and hand sanitizer. To my surprise, I found that when I landed back in Malaysia, it was not unusal to wear masks and gloves on the airplane as many people around me wore them (unlike the UK).   

Since my return home, I have not been outside due to the mandatory lockdown imposed by the Malaysian government. My family and I keep ourselves busy through spring cleaning, trying new recipes, and watching television. To keep up with my studies, I’ve been attending my lectures and tutorials online and taking my time to complete my assignments carefully. On the bright side, I am happy that to be able to spend time with my family during shelter in place.
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I hope everyone will stay safe and remember to wash their hands often! 

Rebecca Lim
Content Strategy Intern​

credit: Becca's artsy corner