2021 has been a year of contrasting experiences for residents of the University of Wollongong’s Campus East accommodation, with the Greater Sydney lockdown in late June changing the social experiences of students markedly.
Being a facility that houses over 500 residents from all over Australia and from overseas, each student has had their own experience in dealing with the challenges of life in lockdown.
In their study “Homesickness and Adjustment in University Students” Thurber and Walton conclude that “Because many college and university students attend school away from home, healthy adjustment to separation is essential for maximising the educational and social benefits of the experience.” They advise that residences “normalise” these feelings and provide “community connections” and a “sense of agency” for students to help manage and alleviate homesickness.
Social Work student Grace Leeds comes from a property just over six hours from Wollongong in south western New South Wales, and she says that while she is grateful to have her friends around her at Campus East, she does miss some of the freedoms of home.
“I think the biggest thing is you move out of home and expect to have freedom, and because of lockdown no one is really getting that freedom, so you have such high expectations,” says Grace.
Chris Tulloch is Deputy Student Residence Manager at Campus East, and has experienced first-hand the difficulties of balancing resident welfare and the Public Health Orders that have been in place throughout the second half of 2021.
“It’s been super tough in so many ways. I’ve had to “lay down the law” and enforce the rules. There is no doubt that this is at the cost of relationships and some level of connection,” says Chris.
As a strategy to help positively affect the mental health of residents and help with homesickness Chris has roped in a new staff member, Abbey, with the aim of boosting morale and homeliness in her role at Campus East.
“The feedback has been amazing. People seem to love having her around: and she absolutely loves it too.
“The other thing, and this is a bit more intangible, is the atmosphere that she creates. It sends a message that Campus East is more like a home and less like an institution. It makes the place feel more friendly and a bit less formal, and created a sense of connection and approachability.”
For Grace, this appointment has been a positive one for her state of mind while living and studying at Campus East.
“It’s been pretty tough at times but I’m more than grateful that Abbey comes in and gives a hand.”
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