We are working with the Journalist, Socrates Mbamalu to share stories from people that have been directly and indirectly affected by this pandemic.
#CovidStories is a new MANI series where we interview people whose lives have been impacted by this pandemic. The subject for today’s story is a final year student whose life is currently on hold due to the pandemic but is finding new ways to maintain her sanity without placing any pressure on herself.
So do you mind telling me about yourself?
I am a 400 level student of Unilorin studying business education. I’m the first child of my parents and I’m presently in Lokoja with my dad. I have no vocational experience but I love volunteering.
How has it been since the COVID situation started? What is life now like for you?
It has been one hell of a ride since the COVID situation. We were asked to leave school because of it and I came down to my dad’s place (my mom and dad are divorced). At first, it was all-loving, fun and all but it quickly changed into constant quarrels and arguments with my Dad’s wife, and my dad didn’t make it any better. But I came to terms with it settled with my Dad’s wife. Life has taken another beautiful turn. I now read daily, have fun with my Dad’s wife but with caution. My dad has settled with us too. I’ve not seen my mom since my sister and I came back three months ago but we talk on the phone daily.
You’ve not been able to see her due to lockdown, right?
No, I haven’t.
In terms of finances how have you been coping?
It has been difficult really. The COVID has cut some of my dad’s source of income so we’ve been forced to manage. I understand this and I don’t really disturb them for money. While in school, I saved with Cowrywise and my savings has matured and that’s what I’ve been spending. But now, it’s almost exhausted.
How do you feel having to rely on your parents for everything?
No fun at all I must say.Sometimes my mum will be in need and I’d be unable to help her. Not all my needs can be catered for by my parents but I have no other means so I just manage with whatever I get.
How do you cope with uncertainty as regards what to do?
Well, I mostly depend on God. I try to work hard and I also try not to expect too much in order to protect my emotions when things don’t go as planned
How has doing chores at home been?
Doing chores hasn’t been fun, but I do them anyways. I mostly enjoy doing it with my sister.
How does home feel like for you right now?
Good. It’s just that sometimes when I think about how long I’ll be home for, I get scared. I don’t know when this pandemic will be over.
What do you do to block that thought or the scary feeling?
I pray. But sometimes the prayer doesn’t work so I end up calling my best friend. We all talk at length and by the time I’d be dropping the call my mind will be back to normal.
So let’s talk about how this COVID situation has affected schooling.
As a final year student, it has been bad. I feel sad, angry, worried, scared. It has affected my course work self because my supervisor’s number hasn’t been connecting. Since Covid started, I’ve been feeling lethargic towards school work.
Sorry about that. In a world without Covid, what would your plans look like?
I would have written chapter 1-3 of my project and hopefully had gotten my supervisor’s approval. I was also supposed to study hard for my third ICAN exam because I failed in stage 2.
Also, I’d almost be done with tests and preparing for my second-semester exams.
When were you supposed to graduate?
October this year
Is your school providing e-learning?
Nope. The teaching staffs went on strike even before escalation of COVID in Nigeria
Darn. Are you trying to learn something new?
To be very honest, I had that enthusiasm in the early days of the lockdown, but I don’t know what happened. I guess the pressure weighed on me and I decided to concentrate on my wellbeing and happiness.
That’s the most important thing, your wellbeing. What’s your typical day like now?
After waking up, I pray, greet my dad, do the normal chores: that involves sweeping the house and then I join my Dad’s wife in the kitchen. After that, I go to my Aunt’s shop where I spend most of the day. At my Aunt’s shop, I read novels, surf the internet, pray at intervals before coming home to prepare for dinner.
Has this routine helped mentally?
The only thing out of my routine that has affected me mentally is the internet. The internet has painted the world to be a very bad and unsafe place to live. I go online every day and I see bad and gruesome news, it gives me panic attacks all the time.
Many times, I end up calling my best friend or I read emails from MANI or diary of a Naija girl. But I couldn’t contain myself and decided to get a break off social media and everything that has to do with it. I’ve been fine ever since I made that decision up until yesterday evening when I logged back. But I’ve also decided to have restraint and not read anything that is stressful.
If COVID were a person what would you say to it?
We’ve had enough of you please give us back our normal lives.
How do you feel now that you’ve been able to express yourself like this?
Relieved or should I say happy I’m really happy to have expressed myself fully and without any pressure from you. Thank you.
If you have a story to share with us about your experiences during this pandemic, please click here.
Interview carried out by our awesome Covid Interview team-(Halima, Asma, Tosin and Jeniffer.)