British University Students of the Covid Era May Suffer From "Imposter Syndrome" | Students

School students missed traditional exams during the pandemic. Photo: David Jones / PA

But Concern exists that students are not notified well in advance of the changes and that the government has not drawn up a contingency plan. "The last thing we want to see is that the exams are canceled again, but given what happened this year and last , it is a matter of common sense to draw up a contingency plan ”, said Julie McCulloch, director of and policies of the Association of School and university leaders. “Students, teachers, and leaders deserve to know what this would look like as soon as possible, so they can plan, rather than leaving decisions for the last minute once again.”

The Leeds study also said that students' sense of disconnection could be compounded by less opportunity to blend in due to online teaching. Most UK institutions retain some of the online teaching, despite students' preference for in-person learning and government directives to remove Covid restrictions and provide a normal student experience.

“Since online teaching, or a hybrid of online and face-to-face teaching, may last into the next academic year, students in the incoming cohort may also not have… frequent in-person peer social interaction during the transition to college, ”the study said. "Students' social networks are an important factor in reducing stress and improving academic performance."

Recommends that universities take steps to foster a sense of belonging, particularly with underrepresented student groups, through supporting schemes and measures to increase the academic confidence of a cohort that has lost a substantial amount of education. The Student Office has also asked universities to provide more support to students who may be less prepared than previous cohorts.

Jamie Halls, the first in his family to go to college, is about to start a BA in biology at the University of Essex. Studying for A-levels during the confinement at Sixth Form College, Colchester, was a challenge, he said.

“I felt more confident about the A-level content that was taught before the confinement than during it. There was a lot of uncertainty about whether or not the exams were going to take place, and that was unsettling. “I feel like we missed the opportunity to take the final exams, even though we did tests and drills at school. When it comes to comparing qualifications, it is difficult to know if you are on the same page and have the same knowledge as other people. ”

Along with 700 other applicants, Jamie completed the Essex Prep Program over the summer. a six-week online course specially designed to help new students get started immediately when degree courses begin next month.

“It was really useful. We cover topics like independent learning and critical thinking, ”said Jamie. "It felt like a long time since the end of the school term and the program helped put me in the mood to hope to learn again."