How student athletes in Jamaica are coping with the coronavirus outbreak
Shanari Fearon is studying at the University of the West Indies and considers how student athletes are coping while not being able to train
Shanari Fearon
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While universities and colleges around the world grapple with the economic effects of the coronavirus, many may not be thinking about the emotional impact this will be having on university and college students.
Many people are self-isolating, maintaining social and physical distancing and enjoying the cosiness of their homes, which is absolutely necessary in this time of crisis. But it is still taking some time to get used to this.
Similar to the rest of the world, life in Jamaica has changed. All higher education institutions have suspended face-to-face classes and it is uncertain when things will return to normal. Many students are now trying to deal with the reality of online learning, a fairly new phenomenon in many universities and colleges in Jamaica. Fortunately, I have been engaged in online learning before and I am finding it less challenging than others.
We have never witnessed a pandemic such as this in our lifetime and are battling the emotional punches daily. Wondering what life will be like after this is normal as we all go through this emotional rollercoaster.
Described as a physical lockdown for many of the country’s institutions, another community feeling the pinch in Jamaica are student athletes. These are students who would normally have to deal with balancing academic and athletic obligations. Now, it’s about balancing academic work, trying to stay fit at home and finding ways to deal with all the disappointments of sports postponements and cancellations.
Erica Harris is a student athlete at the University of the West Indies, Mona, pursuing a double major in international relations and Spanish, and while she remains hopeful, she admits it has been really challenging: “Covid-19 has been affecting me in a negative way, there has been a really long pause in the semester and it has really broken my momentum...it’s very difficult to re-adjust when I had already prepared assignments but will now have to do extremely different ones.”
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For Crystal Rowe, final-year biochemistry student at the UWI, it’s very hard to remain focused: “Imagine doing three years of your degree and in your final year something this disruptive happens, it’s very upsetting.”
Britney McCatty, a student at Moneague College says: “It makes me paranoid, not about the situation right now but about times to come, wondering how school is going to work out and if it’s going to ease up soon.”
Licensed sports psychologist in Jamaica, Dr Olivia Rose-Esperance, says students within higher education institutions are facing a lot of uncertainties but she is encouraging students not be disheartened: “Don’t worry too much about the future, try to take each day as it comes...I would encourage students to find...innovative ways to learn or to continue learning.”
Higher education institutions in Jamaica are doing their best to inform and protect students by ensuring compliance with the measures put into place by the government. Institutions like the UWI have created ways in which students can interact and access school material online.
Although these are challenging times, many students here in Jamaica are finding creative ways of staying occupied and maintaining social and physical distancing, such as doing online vlogs and various social media challenges.
The physical and social distancing has been very difficult for me, as it is for many others, as I am normally used to embracing my friends and family with a hug or a kiss or staying in close proximity to others, which is part of the Jamaican culture.
Although students are finding it hard to stay focused and positive during this pandemic, the after-effects might be even more difficult. It is important that while higher education administrators tackle this pandemic and try to deal with the consequences, students are placed at the centre and measures are put in place to tend to their emotional well-being.
Administrators within colleges and universities around the world should also use the positive lessons learned from Covid-19 to further strengthen policies and practices that will enhance the higher education community.
Additionally, I would suggest that students try to keep a daily structure and create leisure time; use Zoom and FaceTime with friends and family, among other things, to maintain balance and stay positive. I implore all students globally to stay safe and healthy as we tackle this disease together.
Read more: Coronavirus: will students get compensation for losing out on learning?
