How To Survive Self-Isolation As A Student

Local students have started to return from the UK to spend Christmas with their families and friends in Guernsey. And as a result, they have to quarantine for two weeks before they can enjoy island life again. Our guest contributor Issie Ives was one of the first students back, and she has shared her isolation story with us in the form of not 1, not 2, but 3 mini lists. Alongside practical tips on surviving two weeks in isolation, she shares her thoughts on dealing with FOMO and has some cautionary words about unexpected encounters with the Border Agency! And parents, there are some candid tips for you too - on what NOT to do!

Over to you, Issie!

Student 1

Firstly, a disclaimer: I was privileged enough to have an entire empty house to isolate in, along with two of my friends who came back on the same flight as me. Whereas I know a lot of students will be confined to only their bedroom, perhaps meaning the following advice is even more crucial...

4 Essentials To Focus On

1. Supplies

Your suitcase feels hefty, but you can’t weigh it because the last thing you’d have in your student house is a set of luggage scales so you take out anything unnecessary you’d have at home, but would you?! I turned up to isolation without towels, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste... just the absolute essentials to feeling human whilst stuck inside for 2 weeks straight. Although, I suppose this applies more to those isolating in an empty house, if you're going home chances are there will be these supplies for you. However, if you're isolating at home, (thinking back to my time doing isolation due to mumps in a shared uni house), I'd stock up on Dettol, Dettol wipes, endless plastic gloves and separate towels in order to feel safe whilst using the shared areas of the house, like the bathroom or kitchen.

2. Tasty Treats

If you go into this thinking it’s a chance to get really healthy, don’t fool yourself. Two weeks inside is depressing, and making sure you at least have tasty things to eat is the least you can do for yourself. Plus, it’s the only time you’ll have everything bought for you and delivered directly to your door, so make the most of it!

3. Chargers

This one probably isn’t applicable to everyone but, when leaving your uni house make sure you have your laptop charger, something that will soon become your most prized possession in isolation.

4. Daylight

This isn’t exactly something you can pack or order, but sunlight will become essential, so make sure you at least open your curtains every day during the two weeks. It will help you feel at least a little bit normal.

4 Things To Watch Out For

1. Boredom

Yes, it’s a given, but the boredom will hit - and it will hit hard, But just think, after 3 months with no TV license, there must be something worth watching on iPlayer, I’m a Celeb has just started… Oh, and I’m sure with the end of term approaching, there are definitely a few lectures to catch up on or perhaps even that essay you’ve been putting off, right?! Think about it, work done in isolation means complete freedom when you’re out the other side - which will come even if it feels like miles away right now.

2. FOMO

Trust me, Saturday nights in isolation were the worst watching everyone in Guernsey post about being out having a good time, but if it’s any consolation, your friends in the UK will just like you be sat in on a Saturday night with no imminent hope of a night out, so sit tight. You will survive the FOMO.

3. That Sinking Feeling

You may get to the point where the novelty of being waited on hand and foot at the door wears off, and you feel sluggish. It's important for your mental health to try to maintain a routine, even if it’s just waking up at the same time everyday. You will feel better.

4. The Border Agency

They may phone or they may just appear at the front door. (Top Tip: Put a dressing gown on before you answer the door, rather than just answering in your short satin pjs...!) Be prepared for a call - unmute your phone. Also, Public Health may also call to schedule a test on day 13 - which if negative can mean early freedom. This small glimmer of hope means so much when you’re on day 10 of isolation and going stir crazy - the end is nigh!

And Finally...What Not To Do: For Parents!

1. Don't Worry

Please remember that we have lived independently in the UK (doing who knows what!) for a minimum of two months now, depending on our age. We can easily manage a two week isolation that means at the end we can finally reunite with being allowed out later than 10pm and clubbing - that alone is enough motivation to get through and not break the rules, never mind everything else. Trust us!

2. Don't Message Us Constantly

Don’t check up on us more in the two weeks than you would have done if we were at uni, if we need or want anything, as you’ll know, we will ask for it! This isn't saying don’t ask if we're ok - just don't do it multiple times a day! We're still fine.

3. Don't Preach

The last thing anyone isolating wants to hear is how this is the perfect time to do this or do that. It’s not fun or easy, nor is it a good idea to remind us that it's the ‘perfect time’ to start some hobby you’ve read about.

4. Don't Nag

"Have you done your uni work?" "Have you got a job for Christmas?" We know deep down nagging comes from a good place, but when we've got two weeks stuck inside to get through, save the nagging for afterwards (please)!

There you go, parents! A huge thank you to Issie for sending her article to us - and also for her compliance of the rules! We know that there is a general concern about students coming back at the moment and we hope that Issie's article has done something to quell those fears.