IT IS USUALLY a defining and memorable moment in life, but leaving home for university hasn’t quite lived up to the billing for one Powys teenager.

The promise and excitement of starting life as a student has been taken away from Bethany Lloyd after coronavirus led to her university cancelling face-to-face classes on the morning lectures were due to begin.

Bethany, from Builth Wells, is boldly embarking on a law degree at Aberystwyth University and was all geared up for taking the first steps on her journey into adulthood after packing up her things and making the emotional trip to the west Wales coast two weeks ago, but now admits she’s been left deflated.

Students were due to return to lecture halls at the Ceredigion university this week, but then two confirmed cases of Covid-19 on campus over the weekend led to education chiefs suspending face-to-face teaching – and the hopes of starry-eyed new students were left to crash just like waves on the rocks of the coastal town’s famous Royal Pier.

“I’m really disappointed. I went into my first year expecting things to be a bit different because of Covid, of course, but still not sure what to expect either,” said 19-year-old Bethany, who moved into the Pentre Jane Morgan accommodation block.

“Last week was my induction week and comprised of helpful lectures to get us settled in. However, as of late Sunday night, we received an email from the uni saying they would be suspending all in-person teaching.

“It’s such a shame because the uni went through huge efforts to create a safe environment, going above and beyond with safety measures. This means my lectures will all be taught online and we don't get to take full advantage of the uni’s facilities on campus.”

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Such vital components of the university experience are carving out your own path, going it alone and opening yourself up to so many new possibilities and friends.

And that is the most difficult aspect for Bethany. “I think the hardest part of it all is the fact it's so difficult to make new friends because we can’t socialise and especially with the 10pm curfew,” added the new law department undergraduate.

“A lot of students were relying on having on-campus teaching to meet new people.

“The living situation is six people in a house and that’s it. They’ve told us no visitors are allowed at the moment so we can only socialise in groups of 30 outdoors and six indoors.

“For me, it's not so bad because I can come home on weekends but I'm sure for others, especially international students, it's going to feel very lonely.”

As for going forward, it looks like Bethany will have to make the best of a bad situation.

“Neither the students nor the uni knows how long this will be going on for, they are doing their best to everyone up to date but there is so much uncertainty,” she said.

“The law department have plenty of online resources to keep us in the loop, however, they have made it clear there will be much more independent study this year.”

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And it looks like things may get worse before they get better, after the university confirmed on Tuesday night that 12 cases of coronavirus had been identified among students.

Public Health Wales reported 11 new cases of Covid-19 had been recorded in Ceredigion earlier on Tuesday, the biggest daily jump in numbers for the county since the pandemic began in March.

“Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our students, staff and the wider community here in Aberystwyth. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this awful virus,” a spokesman for the university said on Wednesday.

“We recognise this is a difficult and unprecedented time for students, and we have a range of support services available to help them. Our teaching is continuing online for the time being, and we will review the position this week.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and act accordingly in close collaboration with local, regional and national agencies.”

“We are also making comprehensive efforts to emphasise the need to stick to guidelines. These safety measures include: maintaining 2m social distancing at all times – even within student accommodation for the time being; using a face covering when in buildings including in communal areas of student accommodation for the time being; washing hands regularly; knowing who you are with in order to support contact tracing; and avoid mixing households.”