AIBU To feel sad and down

[cheeseychips2]

Just feel a bit sad about down about this. I started Uni in September 2019- just before covid began. We had a semester of normality to start making friends and having uni experiences, and then covid hit and semester 2 was cut short. We weren’t able to be in person for the next 2 years and all Uni clubs and nights out and societies were all stopped. Everything was online including exams. Everyone went back to their homes and all the friendships we started to make before covid were stopped. From September just passed we’ve been in person for everything but you can definitely see the difference in our year- nobody has any sort of memories or close bonds and everyone’s Uni experience has been crap. Overall it’s a really nice year group but you can definitely tell we’ve only just started to all make friends a few months ago.

covid also affected our teaching- we had to do it all online and it just hasn’t been the same I suppose.

I know we have one good year of normal Uni (2022-2023) so we are still luckier than some because at least we’ll have graduations etc, but I feel so disappointed in how Uni has been. I was so excited to make memories and new friendship and have all the Uni experiences everyone talks about but it’s been so different because of covid.

AIBU unreasonable to feel a little down about it all? It’s nobody’s fault covid happened and it’s just one of those things, but I started Uni 3 and a half years ago and have hardly any memories or anything I’m taking away from it all. I’m so excited to be finished and start my working life, but I’m so disappointed in how the Uni years have been😢

Yanbu
I really feel for you x

It has been a real pain. You managed well through a horrible time. Congratulate yourself. You could easily have gone under with that kind of stress. Some people didn’t do so well. You’ve nearly made it. Amazing stuff, OP!!!!

It happened.

I completely understand. A lot of people feel very sad about what they have missed and rightly so. I teach young people whose social skills are well below what would reasonably be expected at their age - another hangover of covid. My own children have missed out on a lot too and the younger one needs speech and language therapy. I think we have to try to pick up the pieces and move on, grateful that we’re still here. The world can be so depressing but try to look at the good things and make plans. You will have the chance as you begin your chosen career to have exciting experiences and make plenty of new friends. Best of luck!

My dd was the same but still had plenty of memories, nights out, societies etc.

I’m jealous, I would have loved it if ours continued 😢

Thank you so much for the really nice replies❤️ Covid has ruined so much hasn’t it. Really looking forward to being finished now and closing that disappointing chapter x

My son's experience was similar. I'm gutted for him to be honest, and you. Hugs.

I would try and make the most of your last few months, there’s still time to make memories.

You were absolutely robbed

Yanbu and I feel really sorry for you on it

However, whilst I had the traditional uni experience and am very grateful for it, I would say I did much more exciting things in my twenties since (am now early thirties) and have made great bonds and friendships since through sports clubs, volunteering, travel and working life. I absolutely think YANBU to be sad about it...but I guess my point is that life will only get better and you don't need those uni years to have those experiences. You are young and have so much ahead of you (and many others will be in the same boat and eager to make the most of mid twenties now).... I'm excited for you

I really feel for you, the last few years have been awful for everyone, but yes, significant loss for your age group, it’s so bloody sad.

my daughter is coming into second year now, so fortunately only had one badly disrupted semester. What I’m telling her, is just GO FOR IT NOW. Work hard, play hard, take every opportunity, learn to surf, buy a bike, travel in the holidays.

good luck, and may this year be amazing for you xxx

You're absolutely not being unreasonable.
I really do feel for you and for what you missed.
I would be feeling the same too!

I feel really sorry for all the students affected in this way. And the unis took way too long to return to normal compared to schools.

Did you get your degree?

No not yet, we are class of 2019-2023 so I’ll hopefully graduate this summer!

My daughter graduated this year and had similar. She actually had a really good first year, but the friendship group cracked apart at the beginning of second year, and as a result of Covid, she didn’t have much chance to rebuild. I think it affected the degree she got as well, because by year three she was demoralised and sick of it all.

That said, she got a job in her last year, she’s still working there and has met someone and seems very happy and settled, so long term, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be a lifelong problem, merely a disappointing, temporary dip. Hope you can pick yourself up and carry on.

I really feel for people your age. My DS started uni in September 2019. He had a brilliant first term, then everything was disrupted by Covid. The rest of the first year was spent at home, then he went back in September 2020 to second most of his time sat in his bedroom doing lessons online. It was such a poor experience, his mental health suffered and he eventually dropped out.

I hope this year goes well for you, well done for sticking at it.