Sheffield Hallam University student calls for more help and support with studies during coronavirus pandemic

Like her fellow students at Sheffield Hallam and other universities across the country, Leah Hale is currently completing her studies at home after teaching was forced to move online due to Covid-19.

But the 23-year-old, from North Wingfield near Chesterfield, says this form of ‘independent study’ is “awful” and, coupled with two lots of University and College Union (UCU) strikes has left many Sheffield Hallam students unsure as to how they will be able to complete their studies to the best of their abilities given the disruption.

Leah, who is in her third and final year of a computing course, is asking for more direction from her lecturers who have reportedly been less than helpful.

“Staff have been on strike twice, and it was all of a sudden with no warning, teaching has been terrible, staff have been rude, we've had awful feedback for our assignments and now, during the pandemic, we have been told to work from home?” she said.

“How am I able to work from home when we have minimal instructions on what to do and how to do it. I have an assessment on March 25 and no one knows anything about what's going on.”

With two assignments to be handed in at the end of April, and a dissertation to complete by May, Leah has been told to carry on working on these from home as normal – something which is not as straightforward as it seems.

Leah said: “My normal isn’t this at all. I go into university, I use the facilities, use their software, get face-to-face help. They said to carry on as normal but I don’t have the specialised software. In their defence, they have told me a way to download the software but personally, my computer at home is terrible.

“The reason I moved away from home was so that I could go into university, otherwise I would have done an open university course. That’s what I pay over £9,000 for.

“I have a learning contract to say I'm dyslexic and struggle to read very well at all. How am I going to be able to pass this year? It’s easy for me to get frustrated with people but I know they’re just doing their job, but we aren’t getting anything from it.”

Leah described the situation as “unfair” and says she has spoken to other students who have suffered panic attacks and are upset at the situation.

A group of psychology students also called for more support and shared how the current challenges have impacted their mental health.

Leah added: “I understand that university is classed as an independent study, meaning we are meant to be able to do our independent research outside of university but this whole final year, my most important year, has been awful. I just don't understand how this can be fair not only to me but all students throughout the university.”

A Sheffield Hallam University spokesperson said: “This unprecedented situation is a challenge for our student community and we understand concerns about how studies are being impacted.

“Whilst we are taking action to ensure that studies can continue safely, we want to reassure students that the university is committed to no student being academically disadvantaged as a result.

“We encourage students with concerns to talk to their course leaders and academic support advisors.

“Our dedicated wellbeing support services are available remotely, we have a regularly updated advice page at shu.ac.uk/coronavirus, and the university has opened a help centre for any coronavirus related enquiries.”