Graphic by Seana Barclay
DIDIER CADENA – CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The precautions in place because of COVID-19 have affected the typical college experience expected by many students. As classes have resumed this semester, it is obvious that things on campus are no longer the same.
Classrooms that were once filled with students are now online, and the areas on campus that were once always filled with people and voices have gone nearly silent. The fraternities and sororities filling the Quad and vibrant activities facilitated by organizations on campus have been canceled or postponed along with all sporting events until next semester. All around campus are signs for social distancing and ways to stay safe this semester. The Café, a hub always filled with people seems quiet and lonely, and the Commons, which is still open, does not radiate the same energy that it once did. All of these are things that many students look forward to coming back to in the fall.
There are going to be quite a number of students, especially freshmen, who won’t be able to have many of the same experiences as the upperclassmen at St. Mary’s. They won’t be able to feel the rush of excitement that comes from watching sporting events. Incoming students won’t be able to experience traditions like Rattler Roundup, where they would be able to learn about the various organizations that take place on campus. They won’t be able to feel the excitement and comradery brought by fraternities and sororities meeting at the Quad every Friday.
These students won’t be able to get the same experience they were likely expecting to receive. How are they going to be able to make the best of this semester if they will not be able to experience what college life is like traditionally? Even for those students who have already been on campus before this semester, how will they adjust to all the changes that are currently in place?
“I feel like it has heavily impacted [the college experience]! I mean, there was always something to do every week and now that is not really the case,” Esperanza Rojas, junior elementary education major, said. “It feels very isolating and essentially it makes it almost depressing because you’re stuck in your room all day for class, for when you eat, for when you study, and even interacting with your friends is difficult because it has to be at a distance.”
Isolation is very common among students, as well as the general population right now. Even with familiar faces around campus students might be hesitant to be around one another in fear of their own safety and others. Measures have been put in place to combat the spread of the virus and life goes on. Classes are in their fourth week, our esports team is already practicing for their season, and activities are being planned out to be virtual for students to join them. Last week the university was able to hold one of their most important service opportunities, Continuing the Heritage, in an online format. St. Mary’s may not know what the future will hold, but the community can make the most of it, and continue to feel the spirit that St. Mary’s is known for.
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September 02, 2020 at 09:56PM
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Traditional college experience adapts around restrictions imposed by pandemic - The Rattler
"traditional" - Google News
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