By ALIYAH BIDWELL, Student Reporter
This is my first full spring semester. I was just a freshman when the coronavirus came and stopped us from having school in person.
This semester is different. We are in-person, and most of the normal things are back open, like the Ranger Mart and the café.
I am so excited to finally finish my spring in-person and not at home.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love my family, but five months trapped in a small town with nothing to do isn’t fun.
I am also not the greatest with technology, so switching to online learning wasn’t easy for me. But at least I passed my classes.
I also have a big family with constant distraction for me and for my classes.
My sisters’ schools didn’t continue. They just finished in March, so they had plenty of time to be annoying.
I have done so much better this semester because about the only time I have to use my computer is when I am writing a paper or taking notes.
If I could change anything that I did before we went virtual last spring semester, I would have gone on a game-shopping spree. I don’t really have much to say. If I could change anything, COVID-19 wouldn’t exist, and the people that I lost would still be alive.
Back to the positive. COVID-19 has taught me to appreciate people while they are still here because one day they won’t be here.
I am doing many things differently this semester. I can’t have a friend in my dorm if my roommate is in the dorm.
I would like to hang out with all my friends, not just some of them. I have to wear a mask everywhere I go.
In the café, I miss being able to serve myself and have the portion size control in my hands.
I decided to get the vaccine because I am high risk.
I miss SGA having events every other weekend where you would show up and just have some fun.
I also miss having parties and not having to worry about how to serve food COVID-style.
I miss being able to work out without a mask on. I know that wearing a mask is important. I just don’t like them because I can’t breathe good in them. I have gotten used to them a little bit, though, as long as I am not moving too much.
Most adults say we got a five-month vacation, but that isn’t true because we still had schoolwork and due dates.
We still only had a two-and-a-half-month vacation. Honestly, it didn’t even feel like a vacation because there was nowhere to go.
My family did end up going to the family reunion in July, which was awesome, and it was awesome to see family.