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Tuesday, 23 March 2021 marked one year since the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK.

The past 12 months have been incredibly tough for everyone: adapting to working and studying from home; missing friends, family and colleagues; financial uncertainty; worries about health; and of course, for many, the loss of loved ones.

The University is inviting students and staff to reflect on their experiences of the last year in a new project entitled ‘One Year On…’ showcasing the good, the challenging and the hopeful.

The project aims to give students and staff a space to share their thoughts of the last 12 months.

Our Student Voice Ambassadors are kicking off the project by sharing some of their stories, but this is also your chance to look back and reflect on an incredibly difficult year, whether that is a quote, a piece of artwork, a photograph, a poem, a statement, blog or video. We want to hear from both our whole community – your own reflection of the last year.

Second-year student and Student Ambassador Eloise Barnes shares her experience of the last 12 months:

Sometimes for me it feels like life has always been this way, other days It feels like March 2020 was yesterday. I am writing this blog to reflect on the fact that today marks a year since the restrictions and lockdowns – It seems so crazy that this strange time has been going on for a whole year. I’ll be discussing some of the ups and downs, and giving you some advice to push through this time.

March last year was my first year of university. I was looking forward to the sun making an appearance on campus and experiencing summer in ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø with my friends. I used to go to Union, Park Bar and Q Club and participate in a few societies – I was always busy, but as you know life changed in March 2020.

Like many other students when the pandemic hit I returned home where the busyness of life suddenly stopped – unless it was to run upstairs for a Zoom call. I was introduced to online lectures, take-home exams and had a summer of working in a restaurant during the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Although this experience was a massive change, I don’t think that I realised how much I would miss my old life.

Email studentcomms@reading.ac.uk to share your experiences.

Get involved with our to add a few words, a quote, statement, image which represents the last year for you.

If you have been affected by the past year, talk to a friend or take a look at the Student Wellbeing or Staff Wellbeing resources available to you. It’s a difficult time and its important to know there is support to help you get through it.