Today was my last 8 am lab for this semester! I’m so happy that I won’t have to wake up that early anymore, at least for a little while. However, it makes me think about how this pandemic has affected my education. Remote learning is definitely not the same experience as in person learning. I’d say that there are pros and cons to it though. For example, I can go to class in my pajamas and when I had my 8 am I only got up 5 minutes before and turned on my computer. If I was on campus I would have had to actually get ready and walk to class. Also, a lot of tests are open book now which is great for the time being. However, I’m probably not retaining as much information as I would be if I was learning in person. I also feel like some of my professors sort of gave up with online teaching because they can’t do it as effectively. Even though online learning comes with its positives, I’d give it up to be in person and receive a quality education. Hopefully next fall will allow me to do that.
Last week of Class
Today is the day before the last week of classes. I wish more than anything that I could return to campus next semester but the way the college has handled this virus, I just don’t see it happening. It’s really unfortunate because the college is going to lose huge amounts of money for restricting the capacity of people on campus when all the other SUNY schools were able to achieve a semester without a shut down. All SUNY schools deserve to be treated the same but that is not what’s happening. This virus has made me realize one thing: life is not fair at all.
Thanksgiving
Today is Thanksgiving and not going to lie – it’s super depressing. I live with my mom and grandparents and they all have weakened immunity so we had to stay home. Usually we go to my uncles but he didn’t want to risk anything so we stayed home and I helped my grandma cook. However, there’s a lot I’m thankful for today. Everyone in my family is healthy so far and has not been horribly affected by COVID, besides me. I still haven’t got my taste and smell back completely but it is slowly improving. Another weird thing about today is the annual parade in the city was cancelled. So many things just aren’t the same anymore and it’s hard to see an ending to this virus as it’s starting to get worse again. Also, I’m stuck home next semester again which has really affected me. I just wish this could all be over soon.
Being POsitive
Today was a good yet simple day. I am only trying to write in this “diary” on good days because I don’t want to be too negative. One of the best positives of being home for me is being able to see my half sister. She is only one right now and every time I see her, because she doesn’t live with me, she looks different. I was worried that she would forget about me when I went to college but I was only there for two weeks so she didn’t. Even though it was only two weeks away she was the one I missed the most. Now that I’m back I’ve been able to play with her and see her, after I was cleared of COVID of course. She even says my name now. This is one of the only reasons I’m happy to be home because lately it has been so hard for me to concentrate in school. Sitting at a computer all day just doesn’t motivate me. Most days I feel tired and have a headache by the end of my lectures. I’m just hoping that Oneonta will come up with a good plan for next semester because every other SUNY school has managed to be okay so far except for us so obviously it is possible to have on campus classes.
Four days with a friend
Today is one of the happiest days I’ve had since I’ve been home. My mom drove me down to Long Island, from Westchester, and I got to stay with my roommate. I’m staying with her for four days. It’s been so hard for both of us lately because our friends at home aren’t the best and we just really miss school and each other. It’s nice to be with her again because it reminds me of school and how we would do classes in our dorm room. This is such a lonely time for everyone but this visit has helped so much.
Isolating at home
Since I’ve gotten home I have been isolating in my basement because I’m pretty sure I have COVID. This is scary because I live with my grandparents and my mom is prone to getting Pneumonia so I really don’t want to give it to any of them. I got tested at school and it came back negative but I’m sure that’s almost impossible because my roommate and most of my friends tested positive. So far my symptoms are minor, just achy and feel like I have a minor cold. I haven’t had a fever at all this whole time, which is good and I count myself lucky. However, when I got home I got retested because I knew the school test was wrong: turns out I’m right and I do have COVID. They say I’m through the worst of it which is great and I won’t be contagious for much longer. It’s crazy to see all these people dying from this disease and then when I get it it just feels like a little cold.
Headed Home
Today I came home from college at SUNY Oneonta because of a huge COVID outbreak. I am extremely sad to leave my roommate and the friends I have made so far. I have already been robbed of so much during my senior year in high school and now it seems to have taken my freshman year of college too. I have been looking forward to this part of my life for so long. It is so hard to see it start to slip away. However, I know everyone is being affected by this virus in some way or another. I can only hope things get better in the near future. One positive is that now that I’m back home I will be able to focus on my academics more.