Media Room

THE FALL 2O2O SEMESTER: A COLLEGE STUDENT’S STORY OF RESILIENCE

Post written by one of our interns, Jenna Geffert

I spent many days between August 26 and November 19, trapped in my dorm with no access to the outside world other than the twice daily meal delivery from campus. I tried all of the hobbies, painting, coloring, watching tv, and exercising, but at the end of the day, I woke up feeling just as groggy and unmotivated as the day before. At first, I thought it was just me. My professors did not talk about the looming dark cloud above us and neither did my classmates. At my university I am a pitcher on a Division I softball team, which is a lot of pressure, but it was one of the only ways I was able to have an outlet for the anxiety I was feeling about COVID as well as the upcoming election. My teammates and my coaches were very upbeat about the situation even though in the spring before, we all lost our seasons, as well as many seniors, such as my sister lost their graduations and final memories as a college student. I did not know why I was the only one feeling this way, but I was not. I think it all stems from social distancing. The lack of communication. The social gatherings only include pairs instead of whole families.

The many memories and moments that are not shared because of a pandemic, never seen before. So I thought it was just me, but it was not, it was my entire campus: professors, peers, janitors, staff, and even the dean of the college. I was not alone, just afraid to reach out past the 6 feet between my resources and I. Yet, eventually I did. I began going to my campus counseling center once a week until I was able to return safely home. I made an active effort to attend the socially distanced activities my school planned such as movie nights or campfires. I began seeing what the world was offering as an opportunity to learn more about myself as it pushed my limits, instead of the giant obstacle it had been presenting the majority of the semester.And that is my best advice, if you are able, and you are healthy, take each new day as a chance to accomplish or learn one new thing. It does not have to be life changing or even something you will remember the next day, but appreciate the small things and the fact that even if it is a terribly unprecedented time, we are a part of history.

For more articles about dealing with the changes brought on by COVID-19, check out our Winter Newsletter “Coping With A COVID Holiday Season.”