On Campus in the Pandemic: Peter De Vera

It’s safe to say that 2020 didn’t go how anyone planned, especially not students. We chatted to some of our residents to find out what studying in a pandemic was like, and their experience with Campus Living Villages. ##Peter De Vera Peter was in his first year of a Master of Data Science in 2020 and lived in Macquarie University Village. ###What was it like to be a student during a pandemic? Transitioning to an online platform was a bit jarring and took a lot of adjustment. Being used to traditional face-to-face learning and then being forced to go online had some challenges and wasn't that conducive to better learning. I had to learn to adapt and deal with the new normal in terms of learning and studying. ###What were your biggest challenges studying during a pandemic? Having been forced to do online learning, the biggest challenges I faced was focus. Being at home and just learning through online materials, I sometimes wandered off and kept pushing things back. Time management also became an issue since there wasn't a concrete schedule to follow anymore. ###What were your biggest worries or concerns during the pandemic? I had to worry about my wellbeing a lot. I was affected emotionally, mentally and especially financially. I didn't think I could make it in 2020. What was living at Macquarie University Village like during the pandemic? It gave me a safe refuge during the pandemic and gave a me glimpse of hope that everything can be alright. The staff were considerate and helpful. I love that Redfrogs came to provide hampers for tenants. I made good friends with my housemates – I’m fortunate to have great housemates ###What was the best thing about staying in the Village throughout the pandemic? Meeting new friends! ###What are you looking forward to in 2021? To return back to campus as normal. To experience the real university life at Macquarie Uni!