Uni Lockdown Series: Freya

Newcastle University, Fine Art, Second Year

The 'Uni Lockdown Series' is a collection of interviews with students across the UK, looking at how the pandemic has impacted their experience: a community who have been forgotten in the conversation.

Why did you choose to do fine art at Newcastle?

Freya: I chose Newcastle because when I visited the city I loved it and I was really interested in the course as it had academic as well as practical modules and that's what I wanted. I really liked the interview process, my interviewer was very keen and interested in my own ideas, rather than just being passive listeners they were intrigued and they made me feel more encouraged to pursue art.

How has lockdown impacted your experience and learning at uni?

Freya: The lockdown has massively impacted my uni experience. I constantly feel anxious and angry at the situation, everyday I wake up, and I love my course, but there is so little of my course. I feel like I am barely in contact with the uni, let alone getting the actual amount of work or education out of my course.

I always wonder whether I should be doing my course or if I should quit, whether that would be more beneficial to my practice, because obviously at the moment I am unable to access the studios or anything that is meant to come with a fine art uni degree. This has meant that I have had to pay extra money to be able to facilitate my own practice at home, which has been really expensive.

I have found it really hard to try out new things and expose myself to new ideas when you are not surrounded by new ideas, by other students, tutors or just being in the art environment itself and not being able to access galleries.

Is there anything you have found particularly difficult?

Freya: One thing that I have found extremely difficult is the fact that I only have a face-to-face seminar with a group of 8 students and a tutor every two weeks. The rest is all remote learning via watching videos on recap which are pre-recorded and every other week there is a discussion board which you can engage in which is basically just a chat forum. I really enjoy the seminar but it is just such little contact and I find that really frustrating.

It is the same situation with my studio practice in that I only have access to my studio tutor every two weeks and although I could ask for more I'm reluctant to ask for more because I just feel like my practice is so slow at the moment and there isn't that much to talk about compared to normal. So, I kind of feel like it would be more awkward to talk to them more often, but maybe that's just me being socially anxious.

Is there anything you have enjoyed?

Freya: I've really enjoyed having a distraction from not doing anything and being in lockdown, that's the one thing that is making me keep going with this course - what would I be doing otherwise? At the same time, that can't be a justification for paying 9 grand, just because it is something to do other than doing nothing.

How has your mental health been during lockdown?

Freya: My mental health has been alright, I mean there are moments where I stare out the window and think 'what am I doing', 'where am I going with this' and 'where we going to be in a couple months time', 'is this new normal', is my degree worth it', 'is it ever going to get better'? All these questions, I think everyone is asking at the moment. So maybe it's a case of getting on with it.

I know people who have been struggling with their mental health and that's had a massive effect on me. I do think that it's not only about yourself, it is also about the people around you and if theirs isn't good then it reflects on yours. My parents are struggling with their businesses, my mum has long-term Covid and that's made it difficult for her to do her work and keep up with it, so she spends her weekends working to make up for her slowness. This has meant that we are all more independent and need to be by her side to support her. I also think that people need to constantly support each other, which can use a lot of energy.

Has there been anything that has helped you during this time?

Freya: I've been doing a lot more monotonous work like decorating lamp bases and making wallpaper. Stuff that I would normally use is like a colouring in book, to focus on the small things and not using your head too much - I find that quite meditating. Also, yoga and running. I make sure that i exercise every two days and go for a walk everyday to get outside, just so that I have done something. I've been focusing on the day-to-day activities rather than planning ahead.

Do you have any advice for anyone who may be feeling similarly to you?

Freya: Focus on the positives - obviously that is so much easier said than done. Definitely run, walk, cycle, whatever you can do. Also I've started to learn to drive, which is great if you have access to a car. It really takes your mind off things as all you have to think about it not crashing the car in front of you. It's also a source of adrenaline when nothing else seems that exciting.

Yoga definitely, it makes you feel so zen. Get a diffuser, read a book, go for a walk, spend some time with your siblings, take up new hobby like photography or painting (even if you're not that good). There are so many things, but some are easier said than done.

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Speaking with Freya was very eye-opening to how the pandemic costs students who are studying, particularly in the creative fields. The resources at the university are so vital for some students to complete their work and lockdown has limited their access to this!

Although the pandemic has affected Freya and her family in so many ways, she has recognised that a positive outlook is key to helping yourself get through the hardship. Practicing self-care, especially exercise and creative hobbies in Freya's case, is so crucial to improving out mental health. And for a uni student in the middle of a pandemic, taking care of our mental health is so so important!

Has your experience at university been impacted by the the pandemic, or for any other reason? If this is something you would like to share, please don't hesitate to contact us here at Be Well.

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