Cara walks alone in Liverpool as uni feels ‘isolating’

WHEN Cara McGillion first applied for Liverpool John Moores University, she had utopian visions of a vibrant learning and city experience, amidst an electric nightlife and an action-packed learning schedule.

She dreamed that her course, ‘Musical Theatre’ would see her take centre-stage as she performed in front of an ocean of fellow students and peers, and expected her imagination to flourish as she met interesting new people from all different backgrounds and cultures.

But ironically, the onslaught of coronavirus has created the opposite reality for the 19-year-old first year student: Isolation.

Despite living in the heart of Liverpool’s city centre, the Killyclogher native says she remains cooped up in her ‘shoebox’-sized dorm room for most of the day, as the majority of her lessons take place virtually – and at night, Merseyside transforms into a eerie ‘ghost town’ without a soul in sight. What’s more, Cara’s bedroom window faces the black wall of an adjacent building, and apart from her four flatmates, any chances of making new friends in person have been few and far between.

“We do live in frustrating times,” Cara detailed. “At present, I am spending £9,000 a year to sit in my dorm in front of my laptop, and do lessons online, without access to university facilities. Even the library is not open yet.

“It has been very hard for me, as I left my home, my family and all my friends to study in Liverpool, and I know practically no-one here.

“Restrictions in England sees all bars close at 10pm, and there are no parties allowed in the dorms. Any that do happen are shut down immediately.”

Aside from one face-to-face class within the university grounds which lasts for just one hour per week, Cara’s lectures take place virtually, via ‘Canvas’ – a complex online learning system which can prove ‘difficult to use’ for some first year students – or ‘Zoom’.

And while online platforms seem like the most logical approach to safe and distanced learning, Cara’s course, Musical Theatre – boasting modules in acting, production and performance – is highly practical in nature, and this opens the doorway to a host of external issues.

“I have an assessment in one week, which involves me needing to learn a song, and perform a routine,” Cara explained. “But the walls are paper thin here. So basically everyone I live with, and those above, below and to the side of our flat will be able to hear me. It’s not an ideal situation as I don’t want to cause annoyance to those around me – especially if they are in lectures of their own and need to concentrate.”

Furthermore, with universities locking down across the England due to clusterings of coronavirus cases, the local singer/songwriter is also deeply worried that future restrictions may make it difficult for her to even return home to her much-loved family – mum, Donna-Marie; dad, Garry; brother, Cormac, aged 13; and dog, Sparky, aged one – for Christmas.

“Halls aren’t my home; that’s not where my family is,” Cara said. “I wouldn’t want to spend Christmas here.

“We are also told that we can’t go home in the meantime in case the university reviews the situation, and deems it safe enough for us all to return to normal lectures,” Cara added.
“Essentially, for now, we are boxed in.”

Is there any advice you’d give to fellow first year students overseas who are struggling to help them cope?

“Listen to music – definitely,” Cara said. “Just put your earphones in and let your cares float away for a little while. Sometimes, to boost my spirit and keep my mood positive, I sing under my breath; low enough so I’m not disturbing anyone.

“I would also suggest watching good movies, going for walks, and scheduling regular calls to the ones you love back at home. My mum and I are very close, and I Facetime her every day. The change from moving from Killyclogher to the big city is not an easy one, especially not in times like these, but speaking with her and my friends back home, has made the transition easier.

“Also, don’t be afraid to talk about your struggles, your worries or your fears to others, as very often, putting them out in the open helps you to process them and makes you feel better.

“The circumstances that we find ourselves in are strange, scary and unknown – but they won’t last forever,” Cara concluded. “And we do have so much to look forward to in the future – we’ve just got to hold on in the meantime. We’ll be loving life soon.”

• To keep up-to-date with Cara McGillion’s musical escapades, please visit her Facebook page, ‘Cara Mc Gillion Music’. All support is well-received and much-appreciated.