Aoife Hickey
"January and February were a hard slog, people were struggling at not being able to meet their friends, we didn't know what was happening with mocks [exams].
"Just being at home alone and the not knowing was the hardest part…trying to divide your time and figuring out how to handle it all, it would get in your head, but it is brilliant being back again and meeting people," she adds.
Aoife explains that while a range of professional supports exist to help students cope with what is unquestionably one of the toughest situations they have faced so far in their young years, a certain level of personal resolve is also needed. Developing some simple coping strategies that are best suited to an individual's own needs is something Aoife has worked on in recent weeks to help her get by.