Student Experience Of COVID. What is the Silver Lining?

Four RMIT students share their stories studying during the pandemic and whether their learning experience has changed post-COVID.

The recent pandemic disrupted all aspects of life. After a two-year period of interruption, isolation, uncertainty, and instability where plans became statements of hope rather than expectation, students at RMIT University are now returning to campus, hopefully on a permanent basis. Some aspects of campus life are the same as in the pre-pandemic era, however many are not. These include the role and use of technology, frequency and length of campus attendance, assessment arrangements, transport, and security arrangements, and perhaps most importantly, student perceptions, expectations, and experiences.

There has been much discussion on the negative consequences of lockdowns and isolation such as the lack of networking opportunities arising from informal contact and mental health issues related to a lack of social interaction. In contrast, there has been comparatively little attention to the positive impact on the forced reassessment of university life necessitated by COVID-19. In particular, students and staff have had to engage more deeply and more routinely with digital tools enabling greater opportunities for flexibility with study due to the lessened requirements for physical presence on campus. This leads to questioning the role of a university campus in post-pandemic times. In other words, the key question is no longer what can be done online (or can't be done on campus) but what should be done online (or on campus).

To answer such questions, we will hear from and engage with four students about their lived experiences in the pandemic, what the return to campus has been like, and what they think the role of the university campus should be in the future.

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Our Speakers

Trixie Kemp

A part-time and interstate PhD student in the School of Health & Biomedical Sciences.

View Trixie's LinkedIn profile

Aditya Saxena

An Undergraduate student in the School of Engineering.

View Aditya's LinkedIn profile

Milindi Kodikara

Recently graduated with a Bachelor of Software Engineering, School of Computer Technologies.

View Milindi's LinkedIn profile

Momodou Cox

A PhD candidate in the School of Health & Biomedical Sciences.

View Momodou's LinkedIn profile

Participate in our Q&A Session

A Q&A Session will follow our presentations and you will have a chance to participate by asking questions on the day as well as submitting questions for the students when you register.

What are you waiting for? Register now! 

Event Organisers. This event is organised by the RMIT Digital Education Engagement Initiative – Prof Margaret Jollands, Prof James Harland, Distinguished Prof Magdalena, Prof Matt Duckham, Prof Kerryn Butler-Henderson, & Ms Michelle Nicolo. It is supported by the Biomedical & Health Innovation and the Information & Systems (engineering) ECPs.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information