The second semester of our first year of university had just started, we had just turned up a few times at the university, we hadn't had time to meet all the lecturers, when during one of the classes we heard that the situation in the country was so serious that the university was closed until further notice. At first it was said that it would take about two weeks, but as we now know, it was not just two weeks. I must admit that I did not follow the national and international news very closely, so I did not know what was happening. I wasn't scared, I didn't experience it, I was only saddened by the closure of the university and the online classes. 

As the university had closed, and I wasn't from Szczecin, I packed my bags and planned to return home. In Szczecin, I rented a flat with my boyfriend, and I got very used to living with him. When we returned home, I missed him a lot because I had become attached to him. I think it was our separation that was the hardest for me during the pandemic. We tried to see each other once in a while, if possible to go to each other's houses, but it was still hard for me. 

I generally tried not to watch much TV, not to get stressed or overexcited, I stayed at home and tried to concentrate on my studies, so I didn't really feel what was happening in the country or in the world. My mum had to close down her job for a while, but my dad was still working. 

All the time we had to be at home without going out I went through well. I didn't feel bad, I tried to keep myself occupied, watch TV series or films, spend time with my parents. My friends that I surround myself with also tolerated the time quite well. We tried not to write about what was happening, to do something else, something we enjoyed. I only tried to support my grandfather and carry shopping for him, talk to him on the phone if possible. 

When things began to calm down, my boyfriend and I decided, sometime in June, that we would return to Szczecin and start living as normally as possible. I decided to start looking for a job and a new flat. The holidays were quite calm in terms of the situation in the country, so I felt good. The only thing was that it was difficult for me to find a job. I was looking since June and I found it only in October. Everything started to fall into place.

I've definitely got used to what's going on in the country, to wearing a mask, to the restrictions and changes that we have to put up with. I can cope with it, I am strong. The pandemic has taught me to appreciate life, family and make the most of what we have. It is a hard time because of the restrictions, but I think I have not had as hard a time as some people tell it. I tried to live a normal life as much as possible.