Empty lecture halls, canteens, and gyms. Radboud University is back in lockdown since today. All education is back online, with a few exceptions.

In front of the entrance to the Comenius building, four students are talking about the exam on Dutch labour law they just made. ‘I’m not sure I passed’, says second-year student Sanne (19) doubtfully. But at least it was nice to finally be able to take exams on campus, she says. ‘Last weekend I was still in suspense whether everything would be cancelled.’

The exam location is one of the few places on campus where students can be found today. Because of the new corona measures, academic education had to switch to online education rather abruptly. The result is, once again, a near deserted campus. The lecture halls are empty, the Cultuurcafé is closed, and at the Refter you can only get coffee and food to-go. Practicums still take place physically, just like during the last lockdown.

More official

That exams are also still allowed to be taken on campus, is a relief to law students at the Comenius building. According to Marloek (20), ’taking an exam in a big hall feels a lot more official.’ And you don’t have to be afraid your internet will go down, Sanne adds. ‘At least you don’t see yourself on your computer screen the whole time,’ she says laughing.

The four students still live at home but gladly take the public transport ride to campus. ‘My train time is 1,5 hours,’ says Lars (20). ‘But that’s okay, at least you’ll wake up on the way here. Last year you could roll out of bed 10 minutes before an exam.’

In the University Library, there are a couple of dozens of students this morning. In the large hall, roughly half of the available study spots are taken. ‘It is indeed a bit quieter than last week’, the building’s doorman states.

‘I had just found a room in Nijmegen’

At one of the purple couches, Anne (24) is on her MacBook working on her thesis. The Master’s student pedagogical sciences is happy that studying in the library is still allowed, she says, because that works a lot better than on the few square meters of her student room. ‘You need to be quick when making reservations, I noticed. Many of the other study locations are closed, like the Maria Montessori building where I’m normally seated.’

At least she finds the timing of the lockdown somewhat favourable. ‘I had my last lectures last week. But it would be a shame if everything is back online after the Christmas break.’ The four law students strongly agree, they say before walking towards the bus stop. Especially Marloek: ‘I had just found a room in Nijmegen.’