See ya later UNC

We received the news during spring break that our break would be extended for another week and online classes would follow after. All of this due to growing concerns about the coronavirus in our country. At first I was relieved to be able to have a week at home with my family, because I had been traveling with friends over spring break. I planned on going back to my apartment after the extended break in order to do online classes. During the extended spring break, I went back to UNC with a friend to pack up her dorm when we learned that UNC residence halls were closing for the rest of the semester. I was totally bummed. My plans for the rest of the semester and living in my apartment with a great group of girls were completely changed.

Flash forward a week to online classes starting. I was not so happy about having to do my online classes at home but due to social distancing protocol, my apartment had urged us to stay at home if possible. Let me just tell you: this is NOT how I pictured my second semester of sophomore year going. Adjusting to online learning hasn’t been the easiest due to all of the schedule rearrangements and technology kinks that have to be worked out. I have a hard time staying motivated at home when my family isn’t having to do work. The environment at UNC is a big motivation for me, as well as my apartment roommates all doing work together. It has definitely been a different learning experience so far.

My biggest issue about this whole situation is I am having to do college without the fun parts of college. Doing work online at home means no friends, no clubs, no study groups, and no fun free time. I also enjoy going to workout classes at school that I’m no longer able to do at home due to gym closures. I don’t mind the work as much when I’m at school because we are all in it together but at home it feels much more isolating. I hate missing out on things planned for this semester and celebrating birthdays at school with my friends. I love spending extra time with my family but I am very ready to be at UNC again. Hopefully we will be able to have some normalcy in the next few months so that we can have a normal summer and look forward to school starting in the fall!