At a time when life journeys should be just beginning, young people are feeling ever more uncertain about what the future holds.
Wondering if they will be able to hug their friends in school, get into university or even gain employment, are all on their minds.
A group of Clydebank friends shared some of their hopes and fears with Clydesider reporter Angela Clark.
What Will the Future Hold?
St Peter Apostle student Ciara Johnston is worried about job opportunities, she said “I think it will be hard to get jobs because lots of older people are getting paid off.
People who have lost their job will need money more than people still in school, so I think it will be quite difficult to get one and lots of places might shut down as well.”
As well as worrying about future job opportunities other concerns on the mind of pupils who are in their final year, are the predicted exam results.
These results will now be based on previous class work. They fear the marks won’t be high enough to meet the criteria for university and will impact on their future career choices.
Ciara added: “I’m in fifth year and have one more year left in school.
“They are basing a lot of grades around class tests and prelim results and it’s scary because predicted grades are not your actual grades.
“I’m frightened I wont get into university.
“I really want to be a primary school teacher, that’s the only job I want to and if I don’t get a chance to improve my grades then the chances of it happening are really low.”
Adapting to New Ways
Another final year student Niamh White said: “I’m really worried about this year’s exams but I’m also worried about next year if we are not in school or doing part time school,
“we may not be getting the same level of learning that we would have.”
As many young people try to adapt to a new way of living, getting ready to go back to school in August is very much on their minds.
But it’s not just grades and exams that are on their minds, they are also worried about avoiding physical contact with each other.
Roisin Johnston said; “We are all worried about going back to school. Our school is massive and really busy and I don’t want to be walking by people and touching anybody.
“You won’t be able to hug your friends and you’re going to be like going downstairs and thinking about touching a banister.
“I will always have it on my mind. We always just had fun. There was never a dull moment, it was always so positive”.
Keeping In Touch
A positive attitude is what these young adults are trying to maintain by regularly keeping in touch with friends and family and continuing to support each other.
Eve Macleod said: “We are face-timing our friends and texting them just to see if they are okay, if they are getting on alright in lockdown and if they need anyone to talk to,
“they always know your there to keep them going.
“You don’t want to have a negative attitude, you just want to keep everybody positive and make sure they are all staying safe and happy.”
Support from Local Organisation
Y Sort It is one of the local organisations relying on online resources to provide support and advice ensuring young people are keeping safe.
Manager, Gillian Kirkwood, said: “Young folk are under a lot of pressure and a lot of people tend to forget that.
“As we start to take steps to come out of lockdown they are wondering about their future, what is going to happen with schools, jobs and attending college.
“At this moment in time we are telling them not to beat themselves up over coursework, the most important thing is they are taking care of themselves.
“We are doing phone check ins and chatting through Zoom calls, Whatsapp groups and providing online activities.”
It can be hard to know how to support young people during this period of uncertainty.
It is clear that their friendship bonds have become stronger and they have grown up quicker than they should have.