By: Eilis O’Neil | Staff-writer and Media Management
Entering my second year of college did not go how I was expecting it to…
If you told me during my first semester of college that halfway through the second semester I would be sent home, I would have laughed in your face. During January of 2020, after winter break, I received a text from my mom about an epidemic in China. She had been following it and keeping me updated. How harmful could an epidemic be when it was across the globe?
The outbreaks started to sweep the world and when the novel COVID-19 virus hit the United States: that is when I panicked. There was no information about this virus and so many were infected. Salve got right on top of it, and on March 2, 2020, the community began receiving emails every Monday in relation to the virus and updates. It was absolutely devastating to have to not only cancel my spring break trip to Europe, but to also be on an extended break from March 14 to April 13, 2020.
Later, the student body and faculty were informed that the rest of the semester would be remote. At this point, cases were skyrocketing and the entire country was basically on lockdown, beside frontline workers. The shift from all in-person classes to all remote was an extremely challenging time. Even though it made time at home fly by, I missed Salve and Newport so much. All I wanted was to be back, and hoping to be back for my sophomore year.
Fast forward to move-in day this September: words could not describe how happy I was to be back on campus and be in Newport. A part of me wanted to have a year like last, but I knew it would be nowhere close, due to COVID protocols and restrictions.
Having a month of sophomore year under my belt, it went a lot better than expected. When I was finished moving in, as I was saying good bye to my family, I told them, “see you in two weeks,” due to the virus. From mid-August through move-in, all I was hearing on the news was students being sent home within two weeks because of cases skyrocketing. I was not looking forward to having another full semester remote.
Madison Romano, who is a sophomore and is remote for the semester, feels as though her experience in the classroom from last year to this year is very different: “I feel like I’m teaching myself for the most part.” Going from all in-person to watching a Zoom lecture can be quite the challenge, especially for those who are visual learners, like Romano.
The overall feeling of classes is completely different than last year. It is extremely weird to see some students on a large screen while the rest are in person. I have a few classes that are hybrid, and when it comes time to be online, I find it difficult to hear the discussion between in-person classmates. For the most part, the professor does not repeat what is being stated. “I am not getting as much learning out of the class as I should be because I can’t hear other people’s ideas or see them. I barely even know who’s in half of my classes,” Romano added.
Jenna Park, another sophomore, is a goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team. She said that the hardest part about coming back was adjusting to the new procedures on the field along with in the classes: “It was the reality that we weren’t allowed to play the game we love and dedicate so much of our time for.” The teams are allowed to practice with masks and social distance when possible.
“To be fair, given these unprecedented times, Salve has been doing all they can do to be accommodating to us. I know it’s been hard to accept this new normal… All I can do now is appreciate what we’re given and are able to do and go from there,” Park added, explaining how she is very content to be back on campus, having some normalcy like last year. There is talk about having a spring season, and Park was happy to talk about it when asked. “One of the biggest things pulling me through my cancelled season now is that I have more time to put in the extra work to make my possible spring season even better,” Park said with a smile.
The virus may be interrupting her fall semester, but it cannot stop Park from seeing a bright side: “I see it as setting myself up for future [Commonwealth Coast] conference success in the spring both individually and as a whole team.” Taken from this interview, the women’s soccer team is ready to take on a spring season if given.
Clearly, in both interviews with Romano and Park, along with myself, sophomores wish it could be like last year- but we know everyone is staying safe and that is all that matters. It is definitely an interesting time for everyone all around the world. Nothing is really the same as it was last year, but Salve and the community are doing everything they can to do so, in a safe manner.
Speaking on behalf of most, if not all, students, I am just so thankful to be back on campus. Along with all students keeping their oath to the Salve Pledge. As of October 4, 2020, there are only two positive tests. Be sure to check out Salve Activities or CAB for future events to keep yourselves entertained. Keep wearing your masks and social distancing, Seahawks! Let’s power through this semester safe and healthy. #salvegotthis
Cover image: “Remote Learning” by danielfoster437 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
