Class of 2020: Sarah Ikin
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.
Sarah Ikin BIO
From Reading, Sarah Ikin achieved a 2:1 in Creative Writing and English Literature. Whilst at university, Sarah was an active member of the hockey team for three years. In her final year of university, Sarah was published in Beyond the Walls 2020.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT YSJ?
I have so many great memories from being at YSJ that it’s really hard to pick just one. But, the majority of these memories have been made through being part of the hockey society. I feel like joining the hockey society was one of the best decisions made during my time at university, because it allowed me to meet so many amazing people. I had so much fun, not just at socials, but at training and during matches as well. Hockey has allowed me to form friendships and memories that will, as cheesy as it sounds, last me a lifetime.
WAS THERE A MODULE YOU ENJOYED THE MOST IN YOUR THREE YEARS, AND WHY?
I really enjoyed all of the modules from my three years at YSJ, but my favourite was probably the Scriptwriting module that I completed in my second year. As a creative writer, my dream, like many who have a love of creative writing, is to one day publish my own novel. However, I never considered a different avenue of writing until completing this module. Not only was the course itself enjoyable, but the techniques I learned seem to work well with the way I process stories.
WHEN CAMPUS CLOSED AND IT WAS ANNOUNCED TEACHING WOULD CONTINUE ONLINE, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?
In all honesty, I wasn’t really surprised that the university made the decision to close. To me, it was the best decision as it showed that they were taking the pandemic seriously. It also helped me personally, as it allowed me to make arrangements to go home. I was able to isolate with my family, as apposed to having to isolate by myself in York, which I think would have been very difficult for me, both physically and mentally.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE FINISHING YOUR DEGREE DURING LOCKDOWN? DID YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AND IF SO, DID ANYONE HELP YOU OVERCOME THEM?
I found that the one problem I really had with completing my degree in lockdown, was that I struggled with concentrating and actually sitting down to do the assignment. Most people, including myself, would say that it shouldn’t matter if you are at home or sitting in the library finishing your assignments. But I felt like there was a finality, once receiving the email, that YSJ had shut down due to the pandemic, almost like it was saying, well that’s it, congrats, you have now finished your final year.
Yeah, there was still online sessions, my dissertation and assignments to be finished but it didn’t really seem real it felt like everything was kind of at a standstill. One this that helped was the availability of online tutorials.
HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE HANDING IN YOUR FINAL ASSESSMENT?
In my family absolutely everything is celebrated with a glass of champagne. So, after hitting that final submission button, the cork popped. Not only did the champagne help with the feeling of celebration, but it also helped with my anxiety about thinking that I had forgotten to submit something with my assignment, even after having it checked and double checked for mistakes by three different people.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW, AND HAS COVID-19 AFFECTED YOUR PLANS?
Covid-19 has affected my graduation as I am now looking to graduate in 2021 instead of November of this year.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
I am incredibly pleased with my choice to attend York St John University. The course not only met my expectations but also exceeded them.
Enjoyed this post? Keep an eye out for the next instalment in our Class of 2020 series. Why not read the previous instalment from Hattie?
Pictures remain the property of their respective owners. Group picture taken from Hockey’s Instagram.
