Did you change your spring break plans because of the virus? From what to what?
I didn’t have any plans for spring break besides working at the library, which was still open for spring break.
How did you feel when you were informed the remainder of the semester would be held online?
I was disappointed, really. I knew it was a necessary measure but I knew that meant that graduation was going to be cancelled, that I’d have to finish my thesis and do all my coursework online, and that I wouldn’t be able to see my co-workers, professors, and friends on-campus for at least the rest of the semester.
Where will you be living while courses are held online? Is this a change from usual?
I’ll be living at home with my family, same as usual.
What has been your experience with moving classes online? What’s good? What’s not so good?
It’s been good, neither of my classes have gone the live-stream lecture route which is nice. I either listen to the lectures in a podcast style or forego the lectures entirely and just do the readings and quizzes. As a political science student, I’m lucky that the style of lectures we do are fairly easy to translate to online instruction.
How has the virus (and the precautions taken to prevent it spreading) impacted your daily life?
Normally I’m a busy person, I’m out and about almost every day of the week either going to school, going to work, or studying on my own. Now that school’s been taken online and the work at the library has been moved online as well, however, I’m at home almost all day every day. I’m an introverted person so this works fine for me but it is a little frustrating not being able to leave the house on a regular basis.
How worried are you about getting the virus?
I’m not worried for my own health but I am worried about getting my parents sick. They’re in their late 40’s/early 50’s and they’re regular smokers. My dad is also a small business owner so if he gets sick he’s not getting paid.
Do you know anyone who has gotten COVID-19?
No.
Are you staying in? What are you doing to pass the time?
I’m staying in almost all day every day now. I’ve been playing video games and watching Youtube videos to pass the time as well as doing research on graduate schools to apply to this fall.
Are you going out? Where do you go and what is it like?
I’m not going out unless it’s to pick up food from a fast food place or something.
What is giving you hope and/or strength right now?
My friends and my family are giving me strength. Despite this crazy situation, all my friends and family are all going through the same thing and it’s the collective solidarity that really keeps me going. We still talk and enjoy ourselves like usual and it’s one thing that hasn’t changed.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about what you’re feeling or experiencing right now?
As someone applying for a doctoral program in political science this fall, I’m especially worried about the effects the recession will have on the application process. There will undoubtedly be more applicants this fall than ever before as people tend to flock to graduate school as a way to ride out a recession. It’s already a ridiculously competitive process as is (admission to a lot of programs can be under 10%) and I’m worried that I could apply to 10+ programs and not get into any even though I’ve been preparing my entire college career for this.