THE coronavirus pandemic has had a serious and sustained impact on every aspect of our lives, with the human cost of the global crisis and the true scale of the devastation to businesses and livelihoods yet to be realised.

The disruption caused by the virus has permeated every section of society and although often overshadowed, the effects on young people have been no less extreme, with schools suspended, hopes of college and university placements dashed and growing uncertainty over future careers and education.

In the long five weeks which have passed since schools across Helensburgh and Lomond, and the country, were shut to combat the spread of Covid-19, many pupils have been anxiously waiting for updates on the progress of their studies.

Rosie Sumsion, who was in sixth year at Hermitage Academy before lockdown began, says school remains at the top of the agenda for most young people despite the lack of classes.

She told the Advertiser: "The big one for a lot of people has been schools closing and I think that has had a really poor effect on a lot of young people's mental health, that's been the thing that's come out of this.

READ MORE: Hermitage Academy head teacher moves to reassure pupils after exams are scrapped

"I remember how stressful doing my Highers was when they were through an exam, but for all the S5s who are doing the qualifications that universities look at first, and the S6s who are waiting on a conditional offer, it's really stressful.

"They've basically had a month of not knowing what the process is going to be like and how the decisions are going to be made.

"The school have been doing their best to handle it but we're all working off the same information."

Rosie, who last week earned the local hero award at the Scottish Youth Parliament awards for her work as the Helensburgh and Lomond area's representative, had received an unconditional offer to study English language and linguistics at the University of Glasgow, but decided pre-lockdown to postpone her studies for a year.

READ MORE: Colgrain Primary replaces Hermitage Academy as Helensburgh's pandemic 'hub school'

However, she appreciates that many of her fellow classmates are not in such a fortunate position.

"It's a really big worry," she said. "It's hard to base results on prelim exams because pupils have only learned two-thirds of the course.

"But it's not just about the amount of the course you've covered – it's about developing the skills and you're only two-thirds of the full exam candidate.

"That has been stressful for a lot of people but the school has actually been really good and really active on things like Google Classrooms.

"Our youth forum has continued to meet weekly by changing to a virtual format and we're trying to come up with resources which can be shared.

READ MORE: Rosie receives congratulations in Parliament after being elected as MSYP

"A group of MSYPs launched their 'Mind Your Time' resource; with everyone being on their phones a bit more it's making sure you're staying mentally safe and offering practical advice.

"People are mostly staying home and staying safe, that's what they've got to do."

In her role as an MSYP Rosie has helped share a recent 'Lockdown Lowdown' survey to collate the experiences of young people during the pandemic.

And she is keen to promote the positive responses gathered so far.

She added: "Even if it's not volunteering, young people are still finding ways to connect on the things that they want to.

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"A lot of people have found that it's an opportunity to get a bit of work done on projects, and from a school point of view we've still got dissertations and portfolios to hand in.

"Despite young people often facing a bad reputation, they have been phenomenal throughout this.

"While there are plenty who don't seem to be following social distancing, I've seen very few who are young people.

"It's hard when most of us have family we can't see or that we're worried about – my cousin had her baby on Thursday and we probably won't see her for a few months.

"I know there might not be many youth-led charities, but I think that by staying home and staying positive we're doing one of the most important things."

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