Lockdown easing and Term 3 hopes

I don’t know about you, but I felt as though I was waiting for the end of the third lockdown in a way that I didn’t in the previous ones. I think it was the one-year anniversary of the start of the first lockdown that did it. I was very ready for the little bit of freedom we were granted this week. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still not loads of options for things to do, but just to be able to see more than one person at a time has been a relief for me.

As excited as I am for the post-lockdown world, I have to admit that I do still feel a bit wary about making plans: we’ve been in an out of harsh restrictions so many times over the year that I’ve more or less given up on planning things like day trips and concerts for the moment.

Having said that, I’m really looking forward to Term 3 (especially the post-exam part). Like so many students, I haven’t seen my uni friends since December, and I can’t wait to be back with them.

I’ve been thinking about the things I’d like to do with my friends once we’re all back. None of them are huge events, but hopefully that means they’re quite realistic.

Here’s some of the things I’m looking forward to doing in Term 3. To give you a sense of the conditions that I’m picturing for these plans: warm, sunny, post-exams, and the government’s roadmap staying on track.

Cafès

If I had to sum up my first year of university in one word, this would be it. My friends and I went out for breakfast or lunch a lot last year, but we’ve only managed it once this year. That time, we went to Procaffeinate (would recommend). I’m really looking forward to trying out some new places next term.

Picnics

It’s such a small thing, but the thought of having a picnic in Jephson Gardens in the sunshine is incredibly exciting to me at the moment. There’s not a huge amount more to say about this one, I’m just really looking forward to it.

Walking to Warwick

The town, not the university. It’s a lovely walk from Leamington, and if you haven’t already done it I’d really recommend it. You can go along the canal and river all the way there. I’m pretty sure it’s never been sunny when I’ve done this walk, so I’m looking forward to doing it next term.

I’m hoping to be able to have a look around the bookshop while I’m there, too — it looks great, but I’ve never had a chance to go in before.

Kenilworth Castle

As a History student, how have I not been to the castle with my friends yet? We’ve been talking about it for a long time, but have never quite got round to it. Hopefully Term 3 this year will be our time.

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I can’t wait to have a Term 3 at university. People I know in years above me talk about it as the best term of the year, and I’m excited to experience it myself. Exams might be a bit stressful, but I really hope the reward for that is that we’ll get a little bit of university life back.