Student life during the Covid-19 pandemic

Young people have encountered rapid change in 2020 as Covid-19 served as a catalyst for new ways of learning; lots more online teaching and learning and even work experience, restrictions on extra-curricular activities, and perhaps a renewed appreciation for the value of health, opportunities and wellbeing.

Stanmore student, Pranay Bhatt, was delighted to secure remote work experience with a worldwide leader in I.T., networking and cybersecurity solutions, Cisco. During this period the student took part in a wide variety of sessions with the business and technological sector, undertook new tasks and received first person perspectives on Cisco employees’ roles prior to the pandemic and now. The opportunity also provided an insight into a wide range of different career routes and opportunities that Cisco provide within the business and technological fields. Pranay was immensely grateful to Cisco for providing such invaluable and inspirational experience.

Members of the community who have opportunities within their organisations are invited to contact the work experience team at Stanmore College if prepared to support young learners in becoming ‘work ready’ in a similar way.

Stanmore Early Years’ students ran an annual ‘Duck Race’ sweepstake to raise money for BBC Children in Need. The event kickstarted a number of Charity fund raising activities undertaken by students each year with the next planned activity likely to be a sponsored walk to support Children at Great Ormonde Street hospital. Plans also include an ‘alternative Christmas card fund’ where the amount that individuals would normally spend on cards is, instead, given to a collection for St. Luke’s Hospice and season’s wishes are sent by email to their friends and colleagues rather than giving cards. There will also be an allocated day to wear Christmas jumpers in return for donating to charity.

A small number of students have been dedicating their spare time to helping the homeless who are vulnerable and already marginalised not to mention at an increased risk of catching Covid-19. In times of high prevalence of mental health problems, these young people have appreciated that the very act of giving back to the community boosts happiness, health, and a sense of well-being.

As a community, we all have social responsibility to do what we can to benefit the whole of society and to help the next generation, whether that is through education, providing opportunities and ‘real-life’ work experience, or encouraging the importance of compassion, respect and altruistic behaviour.