But the spread of Coronavirus has intercepted, forcing many institutions to close their doors and ask students to move out of dorm rooms.
Deniliquin’s Eliza Conallin had not long moved in at Charles Sturt University in Wagga to study a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science, specialising in radiation therapy, when the restrictions were put in place.
The 20 year-old has since had to move off campus and is doing her course online for the rest of the semester.
‘‘During my third week of classes, things began to change,’’ she said.
‘‘At first we had to sign into our classes to let our lecturers know which students had attended. That way they could identify who we may have been in contact with in the case of someone having Coronavirus.
‘‘These changes grew larger and influenced campus events, and eventually led to the uni moving all classes online.
‘‘We were then asked to move off campus as the rest of the semester would be online.’’
Miss Conallin said she was luckily able to move in to a house with her partner Alex, and said the university has been supportive during the trying times.
‘‘The campus gave us just under a week to work out where we would be going and offered extra accommodation for those who couldn’t leave within the time they allowed,’’ she said.
‘‘The uni has also put our rent payments on hold and has secured our original accommodation for when we are able to return.’’
Classes are on hold for two weeks to allow students, and staff, to transition to online learning.
‘‘My course will run as normal but will now be online. The course, assessment and exam structure has been changed to suit online study,’’ Miss Conallin said.
‘‘I think this will be a major learning curve because I have never had to experience online learning.
‘‘It will take time to get used to, but I am happy this is only my first year.
‘‘I can no longer perform practical components of the course though, which I will need to catch up on at a later date and will put me behind in my learning.’’
Emily Ho, who is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Charles Sturt University in Albury, said the changes to the learning model will pose some challenges for those in her course.
The 18 year-old and her fellow classmates must have 100 per cent attendance in some classes, particularly practical components.
‘‘I understand the precautions and the risks that come with this disease, but I am beginning to get worried about how it will affect my studies, especially if classes are cancelled,’’ Miss Ho said.
‘‘My course is very strict about taking sick days and having a very high attendance, but the university is becoming more lenient and still encouraging people to stay home.
‘‘I’ll still need that perfect attendance, but I can now do that through residential school which is a straight week of practicals that they allow online students to do.’’
Miss Ho said she is going to do her best to continue her education in the current situation.
‘‘I had chosen the on-campus study in the first place because I knew that I would have a teacher and timetabled classes to keep me on top of my work, and that I would always have a support system to ask questions and seek help,’’ she said.
‘‘But with everything being moved online, I can only try my best to keep on top of the workload and try to keep motivated.’’
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