For many of the students that have in-person classes, the directional arrows on the ground are the only tangible guidance throughout campus.
The routine is simple and familiar: mask up, sanitize your hands, scan a QR code, follow the arrows, and sit while social distancing. If you don’t make it to class early enough, you must sit in a different classroom watching your “in-person” class on Microsoft Teams.
The availability of on-campus resources is mixed. There is readily available hand sanitizer and study spots that can be booked at the library in three-hour time blocks. Many students use the time between classes to write and study, but the lack of available public spaces makes it difficult to do so on campus.
The campus pharmacy remains open and provides expedient service over the phone, providing emergency prescription refills and continuing to help directly serve students during this stressful term.
Career development, health services, and counselling services have all moved to online or over the phone communication. Students facing mental health emergencies are encouraged to contact a counsellor for a phone session.
UNB is making efforts to protect students and workers from the direct threats posed by COVID-19, yet many yearn for more precautions. In particular, UNB needs to make in-person counselling sessions available in which students can get the help they need while taking precautionary measures.
Here are some of UNB’s resources available online:
Counselling Services (https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/health-wellness/counselling/)
· Contact information
· Request an appointment
· Links for emergencies
· A Wellness hub full of virtual resources for self-care
· Mental health and self-care tips in the COVID-era (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JlTrkQffx0)
Student Health Services (https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/health-wellness/health-centre/index.html)
· Online virtual appointments – Call 453-4837 to book. (It can be difficult to get through, with the line often being busy. But the nurses and doctors are there to help and make sure your appointment operates smoothly.)
· Information on Covid-19 Symptoms and how to get tested (https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/health-wellness/health-centre/coronavirus-covid-19/index.html)
· Dietary information related to Covid-19 (https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/health-wellness/health-centre/coronavirus-covid-19/nutrition.html)
Career Development (https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/employment/)
Check out their Sharepoint COVID-19 resource page for a great list of things you can do from home such as tips for finding employment or sprucing up your resume.