An ode to the class of 2020

In October last year, I met with a student who was anxious about the pressure of the UCAS process and all of the uncertainty it can entail. “Don’t worry” I assured him “there is nothing that I haven’t seen before, no matter what happens I’ll help you thorough it”. Oh how those words came back to haunt me because, like everyone else, I had no idea what was coming and when the announcement was made that exams were off, I could do little more than join students in riding the waves of initial elation followed by a feeling of deep-set panic as to what would happen next. Suddenly, there was no precedent to follow and I couldn’t draw on experience, because this was a new one on me too.
I’m used to seeing students talk about how their mocks were a disaster and how they’re really going to get down to study before the final exams. I’m also used to seeing those same students on results day; either delighted that they’ve pulled it off or dealing with a twinge of disappointment as they enter Clearing and come up with another plan. I’m not used to seeing students robbed of the opportunity to put things right and prove themselves.
So, the class of 2020 will always be incredibly special to me. You will always be the amazing group that have shown how brave and resilient you really are. You’re the ones who I thought I had lost when lockdown was first announced, the ones whose voices filled my home a couple of weeks later once we’d all worked out how to use the appropriate technology (sort of). Weirdly, the fact that I couldn’t see you face-to-face made the experience all the more personal as we dealt with noisy budgies, deliveries and the occasional toddler trying to join in. It’s been rough listening to your worries about what would happen to university offers when everything is so uncertain. But it’s been an absolute privilege and now that we’re through that stage, I can admit that I would be completely freaking out too.
But, with results day almost upon us I want you all to know that as twee as it sounds, I’m so incredibly proud of you all. You’ve been incredible at adjusting to this crazy new world and I’m truly honoured to have been there to have witnessed how awesome you are. And whilst you may not have had chance to sit exams to show what you are capable of, never doubt that you deserve the university places I hope you’ll be given on Thursday. Go and show the world that you’re more than ready for whatever it throws as you, however weird that may be.