Living in a bubble of one: students and universities across Yorkshire speak out about the challenges of isolation for young people

By Ruth Dacey
Published 10th Jan 2021, 16:45 BST
Amid Covid restrictions and online teaching, universities across Yorkshire have opened up about the loneliness students have endured during a global pandemic, Ruth Dacey reports.

When Graeme Brannan moved to Leeds for his first year at university in September, he knew the experience would be hugely different.

Read More
Yorkshire's surge in Covid cases is 'scary' but there's still time for region to...

But the paramedic student did not expect to have to endure long periods of time alone in his studio flat.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Pictured, first year paramedic student Graeme Brannan, from the University of Bradford, who moved to Leeds in September last year. Photo credit: Simon Hulme/ JPIMediaResellPictured, first year paramedic student Graeme Brannan, from the University of Bradford, who moved to Leeds in September last year. Photo credit: Simon Hulme/ JPIMediaResell
Pictured, first year paramedic student Graeme Brannan, from the University of Bradford, who moved to Leeds in September last year. Photo credit: Simon Hulme/ JPIMediaResell

Having previously suffered from anxiety and depression, the University of Bradford student is determined to ensure isolated students on his course do not suffer in silence.

The student representative told The Yorkshire Post: “My anxiety was worse when I was on my own a lot of the time.

“That is when your mind races and that starts that spiral. I think that is happening for a lot of university students at the moment.”

Mr Brannan, 27, who left a successful career in finance to re-train to become a paramedic, said he is one of “the lucky” students, as due to the practical nature of his course, he has been on campus on average three times a week in a "social bubble" of up to seven students.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Pictured first year University of Bradford student Graeme Brannan. When he arrived at university for his first year in September he knew the student experience would be a challenge – but not that he would have long periods of time alone in his studio flat.Pictured first year University of Bradford student Graeme Brannan. When he arrived at university for his first year in September he knew the student experience would be a challenge – but not that he would have long periods of time alone in his studio flat.
Pictured first year University of Bradford student Graeme Brannan. When he arrived at university for his first year in September he knew the student experience would be a challenge – but not that he would have long periods of time alone in his studio flat.

However, he said that he was aware of one student who is considering dropping out of the course.

He added: “I know some people on healthcare courses haven’t had any time in university. I am definitely one of the lucky ones.

“But there has been one person who has spoken about dropping out because they just don’t think they can handle this kind of pressure due to the times we are in.”

But with most student societies moving online, coupled with the fact Mr Brannan, who is originally from Liverpool, lives in a studio flat, he said he had limited opportunities to make friends.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
A sign in the window of student accommodation, taken during the pandemic. Universities across Yorkshire have reported a raft of new measures put in place to help students across the region, including many social media initiatives. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PAA sign in the window of student accommodation, taken during the pandemic. Universities across Yorkshire have reported a raft of new measures put in place to help students across the region, including many social media initiatives. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA
A sign in the window of student accommodation, taken during the pandemic. Universities across Yorkshire have reported a raft of new measures put in place to help students across the region, including many social media initiatives. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

“I don’t feel I’ve had that first year university experience.

“We’ve not had the chance to meet others at the university - we can only engage with people who are doing the same course.

“Someone who is not from the area that was going to be key for me in terms of creating a social circle in the area.

“When you’re sitting there on your own - it can be lonely.

Pictured, Professor Shirley Congdon, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford. She stressed that every effort is being made to help students cope with the lockdown by the university including keeping counselling services open on campus.Pictured, Professor Shirley Congdon, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford. She stressed that every effort is being made to help students cope with the lockdown by the university including keeping counselling services open on campus.
Pictured, Professor Shirley Congdon, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford. She stressed that every effort is being made to help students cope with the lockdown by the university including keeping counselling services open on campus.

“There have been nights when I have sat here - and it would be nice to have a friend round, even sitting in someone’s company would be nice.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However Mr Brannan said embracing university digital initiatives including a weekly zoom party with his rugby sports team, which had a focus on mental health, had helped.

He advised fellow students to also embrace technology to aid with isolation during these unprecedented times.

"Any student in isolation is massively at risk. When you live on your own - you don’t have a person there to notice those little signs of when you are not coping well - I think that is a key thing that everyone needs, he said.

"Make the most of whatever you do have. Don't always think that you have nothing - there is a whole world out there on social media - which has got its pros and it's cons - but make the most of that. If you need to speak to people use that - use zoom, facetime, video messaging."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There are nearly 200,000 students studying in Yorkshire every year, normally bringing an annual £2.9bn boost to the economy, with the higher education sector supporting more than 54,000 jobs.

Pictured mass testing of university students for Covid 19 at the Allam Centre, Hull University in January to help enable a safe return for the Spring Term. This year has been very different for university students in the region including lateral flow tests, which means that results can be rapidly turned around within an hour. Photo credit: The University of Hull.