Hello, my name is Demi-Mercedes Green and I am currently re-doing my third year at Plymouth University. 

Why are you doing this?!

I am 26 years old, in the eyes of the law, I am classed as a mature student. Alongside this I am also a care leaver. I started my degree in 2017 with high hopes and cheeky enthusiasm to finish in 2020. Unfortunately my mental health took a turn in 2018 and I took a year out. 

I returned to my studies in 2019 however COVID-19 stopped face -to- face lectures and it was difficult to receive support and guidance directly. 

What do you plan to get from this?!

I have always been driven to do my best. Growing up in care and estranged from parents at times meant my relationships were impacted and I didn't know how I was going to cope with University life. I was over the moon when I got a 2:1 for my 1st year. 

My second year and third were hugely affected by these recent events. I was just skimming the pass mark, it didn't make sense. One minute I would be getting horrid emails about plagiarism and then the other unit (submitted a week before) came out with a 60% mark. The uncertainty of COVID-19 meant that I wasn't able to do placements or visit first-hand centres to gain experience, understanding and knowledge.

There was a petition done locally  for how assignments would be marked and from this, Plymouth University offered a solution in the form of a 'safety net'. The 'Safety Net' was essentially the same as the procedure and process for Extending circumstances however you didn't need to supply the evidence as such. This attempt of a solution didn't match the needs of the individuals and therefore it continued to spiral out of control. I would be messaging a friend (of whom would regularly see 1st's in her assignment grades) and due to the impact of COVID-19 she reached out to the University, of whom didn't really support her, and resulted in non-submissions. She went on to exceed in her assignments and got a fantastic grade however I will point out .. it was all her. She had put the effort in. Researched outside of the University portal and succeeded only by pushing through with her own experiences to pull from. 

Luckily the degree I am doing is based on experiences, knowledge, theorists and hands on approach. To those of you whom are sitting exams, working in environments like the hospital or other courses that require specialised resources, knowledge and attendance is key, I reach out to you. I have no understanding of how your studies are going.. infact you might not have any issues at all, but a friend or a peer on your course could be struggling hugely. There are hundreds and thousands of us students. 

I have focused in depth on mental health and COVID-19, you may wonder why I mentioned the strikes in the title? I wasn't aware of how strikes would affect my studies. I remember the excitement of a 'day off' to teachers striking when I was in secondary school. It was something all students would wish for. However, doing a degree that I want to pursue it has become evident in my grades how affected I am by COVID-19 and the strikes. 

 I am sharing my personal story with you, in hope that there are other students whom have been affected, whether it directly or indirectly affected your finances, your accommodation, your ability to socialize, your idea of the university experience.. waiting out on a particular date to know if you have done all you needed to do.

I was meant to graduate in 2020. This year will be my year. Third times a charm.

What scares me is the tution loan is due to be paid back from the next academic year. I am due to pay £70,000 in lieu with accommodation, tution and the extra years I have fought for so I can finally achieve the one goal I have had since I was 7 years old. 

I am a young female struggling with suicidal thoughts, impacted by my care experience of whom lost everything three months ago. Yet, with everything going on I am passionate about my degree and the feeling of having that degree associated with me. 

If you sign the petition and agree with what I have written up above, you are joining a collective circle of students -pass and present - of whom are fighting for a better education. The government have stated that education is of high importance to them, well where are they? What are they doing to support you? 

Stopping repayments of the loans between 2020-2023 will allow the students of whom have been affected to be free of economic debt that affects their social investment within society. This will allow students to stop worrying and actually be excited to contribute actively within their communities. 

Was your degree worth your student finance?