Quarantine Thoughts

I am at a loss for words about everything that is happening right now. I am a senior here at UNC and I cannot even believe that our last semester has been cut so short. I know and understand how important it is to not have the rest of the semester or graduation right now but it is still very sad to reflect of the memories that I will not be able to make with my friends. I am also worried that I will catch the virus and that there is not much I can do about it except to quarantine myself and wash my hands very often. The meme I included above is testing positive for missing the homies and this is how I feel because I just want to be back on campus with my friends enjoying our last semester. This weekend was especially hard because I am in Alpha Phi and we were supposed to have our last formal on Saturday. I also realize that these are small inconveniences and that I have so much to be thankful for and I am very lucky to have a safe home.

My home is in Cary, North Carolina so luckily, I am not far from UNC at all which has made me feel like this is less drastic of a change. Both of my parents are also working from home so we are with each other all day every day. I don’t mind it except for when they ask me if I should be doing my homework or studying because I am so used to being independent at UNC. I personally am having a hard time adjusting to online school as well. I love walking around campus and going to class because I learn best by listening and participating through in person classes. I easily forget things so I am stressed I will accidentally miss an assignment that is due online. I have been enjoying zoom but it is way easier to get distracted at home during the zoom meetings than it is when in class. Hopefully, as the semester continues, my professors will accommodate for the changes that coronavirus has brought for us students and that my last semester at UNC will end on a good note.

I also work at the YMCA in Chapel Hill and I used to work 9 hours every week. I have been doing this for over 2 years so this is one of the other big changes that has happened to me. I now have way, way more free time and energy than I did before. This time has honestly allowed me to pull away from my everyday stresses and relax a lot. When we did have in person classes, I would have class from 9:30 until around 2 or 3 and then only have about an hour to relax before going to work from 5-8. I now have free time to run again (and the weather is so nice), to spend time with my family, and cook nice dinners that I never had time to do before! I used to basically only each soup and sandwiches but now I make all kinds of things. I also have time to do all of my homework and enjoy the readings of my joint English and Anthropology class. For class, we had to read Edgar Allen Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death and it is about a deadly disease that is spreading around in the story. I was able to take the time to read it, enjoy it, and not be rushed. Also, this story especially has had me reflect on the pandemic and how scary this virus is for everyone.