“I feel ecstatic,” says Xaviella Millette, a first year Computer Science student at the Faculty of Science and Technology’s Department of Computing and Information Technology.

She’s speaking about being able to attend in-person classes on the St Augustine campus, an opportunity that has been unavailable to students for the last two years.

In the closing days of August, The UWI St Augustine grounds came alive once again with the presence of new and returning students. Since March 2020, the campus, along with other educational institutions in T&T, had been closed by the government as a safety measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This means that new students like Xaviella began their university experience online in both 2020 and 2021.

Many students that started in 2019 haven’t even experienced a full year on campus. For many of them in three-year programmes, this is their final year.

“I had barely been on campus, so I was almost immediately adapted to online learning,” says third year Civil with Environmental Engineering student Brandon Ali.

“It had its pros and cons,” he said of his experience of pursuing his degree virtually. “You’re more relaxed at home. However, you did miss out on all the socialising and interaction.”

Mekelia Miller, a final year Theatre Arts student at UWI’s Department of Creative and Festival Arts, had similar sentiments.

“It really showed me that I value in-person interaction with my classmates and my lecturers,” she said. “Academically, the last two years have been trying. I’m the kind of person who values physical interaction. I’m more of a hands-on person. So, transitioning to online learning was truly a struggle for me. I am looking forward to coming back into the physical space.”

Academics is the primary reason that students invest in higher education, but it’s not the only one. University campuses are filled with activities and events. They are the setting for new and long-lasting relationships. Campuses are places for enormous personal development – especially for young people, for whom the experience is an important step in their young adulthood. The campus grounds itself is filled with expansive and attractive green spaces, making it an extremely inviting and stimulating environment.

Some students, like computer science major Kendell Ferguson, are even looking forward to the food.

“I’m a foodie,” he laughed. “I’m also looking forward to the vibes, meeting friends at the Student Activity Centre.

However, Kendell also believed that being on campus will help him excel academically. The university “is the right environment to learn” he explained, saying that he needs “the right facilities, such as the library”.

Even though Xaviella is new to UWI, she did have to face the challenge of studying online for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

“It was quite difficult,” she recalled. “I was not able to see my friends. During the pandemic, my motivation to attend classes decreased a lot. Throughout the year, I was able to pick myself up and get down to business for exams.”

Going into UWI, she is hopeful: “I am hoping that, come this semester, I will be able to see my friends and have the kind of experience I was not able to have during CAPE.”

Finding motivation while learning virtually was also an issue at times for students already at The UWI. Suraiyaa Khan, studying in the master’s programme in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the Department of Behavioural Sciences, said that while it did not affect her academic performance, like Xaviella, she sometimes found it difficult to attend class.

However, she did see some good in the experience: “I personally didn’t mind the online learning. I thought it gave the lecturers more of a chance to know their students on a one-on-one level.”

UWI St Augustine’s rapid shift to online teaching and learning during the pandemic was one of the campus’ major successes during the two-year period. Within a relatively short space of time, the faculties were able to adapt their courses for virtual delivery. Even exams were delivered online. This was coupled with an unprecedented outreach programme by the faculties and campus units like the Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD) to provide devices like laptops, as well as other material goods, and mental and emotional health support for students.

Nevertheless, for many, it was a tough time.

Sergio Camejo, a final year student doing his MSc in Regional and Urban Planning at the Department of Geomatics Engineering and Land Management, had “the luxury of being a student before the pandemic” he said. He described the two years of studying during the pandemic as a shock.

“I was always a very spontaneous guy. I like interacting with people - making friends and meeting new people. That was impossible during the pandemic.”

He called the experience “a tough switch”. Still, finally it is over, and Sergio is looking forward to the new academic year.

“I’m really excited to come back,” he said. “Being here in UWI, being on campus, you can’t beat that feeling.”