Studying amid lockdown: students open up

As the youth of South Africa is celebrated in June, the Peermont Education Trust reached out to a few beneficiaries to find out how they are coping during lockdown.

June 30, 2020

Kempton Express 2 minutes read

Phumzile Makhanya of Thembisa was initially excited when students were sent home, as it meant she would see her family, but the excitement was short-lived.

The lives of South Africans changed dramatically on March 26 when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a nationwide lockdown relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Everyday life was transformed into a dystopia of social distancing, the wearing of masks and hand sanitising as new behavioural habits had to be adopted overnight.

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As the youth of South Africa is celebrated in June, Jenny Findlay, manager of the Peermont Education Trust (PET), a community social investment initiative of Emperors Palace that enables youngsters to obtain a tertiary education, reached out to a few beneficiaries to find out how they are coping during lockdown.

Second-year B.Nursing student from Thembisa Khomotso Mothobeki, who studies at the University of Johannesburg, says the start of the lockdown wasn’t great and that it has been tough all the way.

“Having to start studying at home again meant I had to create an adequate study area with a new study schedule. Plenty of online tests meant I had to get used to typing quickly and accurately. I also had to learn to overcome procrastination.”

According to him, online learning negatively affected his marks and fear of failure was overwhelming. However, the determined student persevered and kept a positive mindset.

“I have received a permit to return to university and I’m excited to get back into a routine where I have more freedom to do things my way. I cannot wait to go back.”

Fourth-year B.Pharmacy student at the University of the Witwatersrand Phumzile Makhanya of Thembisa was initially excited when students were sent home, as it meant she would see her family, but the excitement was short-lived.

Khomotso Mothobeki, who studies at UJ, says the start of the lockdown wasn?t great and that it has been tough all the way.

“When the online learning was announced, I was so overwhelmed and doubted whether I’d be able to weather the storm. But I cleared my head, stopped being so hard on myself and took things one day at a time.

“Eventually it started making sense and I got the hang of it.”

Now back at university, this ambitious student is preparing for her exams and is hopeful about her future.

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Apart from having their tuition and accommodation expenses covered, getting books and a laptop each, the trust also provides a comprehensive mentorship programme for scholarship recipients to enable them to cope and develop new skills during their time at university. The programme covers study skills, emotional intelligence and employability.

Monthly mentorship meetings are also held with the students to ensure they receive the much-needed socio-psychological support required. During the lockdown period, the PET has been supporting its scholarship students with a combination of WhatsApp messages, online support and phone calls to keep them motivated and on track with their studies.

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