Class of 2020: Ethan Warburton
Finishing university is a difficult time for any student. Our alumni usually continue with further study, go travelling, or find job opportunities. However, finishing university during Covid-19 has left the Class of 2020 with a very different experience of finishing their degrees. In our Class of 2020 series, recent alumni discuss the impact of Covid-19 on their studies and future plans.
Ethan Warburton Bio
From Scarborough, Ethan Warburton attended York St John University to study Illustration. He was awarded a First Class degree with Honours. Whilst at university, Ethan enjoyed all of the opportunities his course offered. In his second year, after successfully completing a course brief focused on the local Quilter’s Guild, Ethan sold them a painting representing the creation of one of their quilts.
In his second year, Ethan also designed the cover art for Beyond the Walls 2019.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT YSJ?
Our course trip to Amsterdam in second year will always be a stand out memory for me. Exploring a new city and visiting world famous galleries with the rest of my course was a great opportunity. It was bitterly cold and wet weather, but we had a really good time all the same.
WAS THERE A MODULE YOU ENJOYED THE MOST IN YOUR THREE YEARS, AND WHY?
My favourite module throughout my time at YSJ was my dissertation, as I absolutely loved getting lost in research and study on a very particular subject. It gave me such a great sense of achievement to see the result of a whole year’s hard work finally submitted. I remember the long days in the library with piles of books on my desk, and I’ll never forget getting my grade back and feeling like it was all worthwhile.
WHEN CAMPUS CLOSED AND IT WAS ANNOUNCED TEACHING WOULD CONTINUE ONLINE, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?
It felt very premature to say goodbye to campus and lectures amidst Covid-19. It was disappointing to learn that we would have no more in-person teaching, because it meant that we wouldn’t get to have a final goodbye with course friends. We did however have a video call get together after our final assessments were handed in to say farewell.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE FINISHING YOUR DEGREE DURING LOCKDOWN? DID YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AND IF SO, DID ANYONE HELP YOU OVERCOME THEM?
Initially I found video sessions slightly difficult to engage with; I knew that the online lectures would struggle to match physical lectures, and they felt a bit awkward at the beginning. I found it more challenging to keep up with my studies without the daily routine of physically going into the art studio. Despite this, I always felt like my tutors were there to support me if I needed them. Tutorials via video chat were helpful and reassuring.
HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE HANDING IN YOUR FINAL ASSESSMENT?
Under normal circumstances I would have loved to go for a celebratory meal with my fiancee and family, however lockdown meant that we couldn’t do this. Instead, my fiancee and I enjoyed a lovely meal at home complete with candles and champagne.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW, AND HAS COVID-19 AFFECTED YOUR PLANS?
Covid-19 has definitely affected my plans for after Uni. I wanted to find a full time job in York that would use the skills I learnt from my studies of Illustration, however due to Covid-19 the job market hasn’t been particularly full. I’m working full time at a supermarket to pay the bills at the moment, and I hope that I’ll be able to find the right position for me soon.
Pictures remain the property of Ethan Warburton.
