By KAYLEE JO NEELEY, Student Reporter
A few weeks into the fall semester, Northwestern students say they’re excited about finally getting to experience university events without COVID-19 restrictions. They’re also looking forward to getting more involved around campus.
The Northwestern News talked to three Rangers to find out what their hopes are for the school year.
Freshman biology major Carlie Badley is from Ponca City. Here’s what she had to say.
Q: Many of the activities that were canceled when the coronavirus pandemic began have returned. Which one are you most excited to have back and why?
A: The activity I am most excited about … would be basketball because my season was cut short last year, and there were so many quarantines.
So, to be able to be around teammates and start freshman year like normal is really exciting.
Q: What else are you looking forward to this semester and why?
A: I’m looking forward to expanding out of the small town that I came from and meeting new people and traveling with the team.
Q: So far, what is your favorite class and why?
A: My favorite class so far is Ranger Connection because we get to learn the history behind the school and meet a bunch of our fellow freshmen and really expand our knowledge of campus.
Q: What will be the most challenging part about this school year for you?
A: The most challenging part about the school year for me will definitely be just time management, managing basketball with academics.
Senior political science and history major Scout Frame is from Kinsley, Kansas. Here’s what she had to say.
Q: Many of the activities that were canceled when the coronavirus pandemic began have returned. Which one are you most excited to have back and why?
A: I’m excited to have our normal basketball season back, where we can compete in a full season and travel.
Q: What else are you looking forward to this semester and why?
A: I’m looking forward to all my classes being full-time, in person.
Q: So far, what is your favorite class and why?
A: My favorite class so far has been African American history. I enjoy the professor, and I love classes that make you realize there’s always more to learn.
Q: Are there some activities or groups you would like to see started around campus? If so, what are they and why?
A: I would love to have a recycling center on campus. It has become an integral part of our daily lives, and it would also motivate more students to recycle.
Q: What will be the most challenging part about this school year for you?
A: The most challenging part of this school year would be maintaining proper precautions to avoid COVID spikes. It feels like we’ve made it out, but if we don’t act properly, we will find ourselves in a very similar situation as last year.
Student Kynsey Dixon is a sophomore biology major from Caddo. Here’s what she had to say.
Q: Many of the activities that were canceled when the coronavirus pandemic began have returned. Which one are you most excited to have back and why?
A: I am most excited about basketball for multiple reasons. I’m excited that we get to have team bonding back to normal, and we get to help out in our community more. I’m excited that we get to have meetings in a locker room instead of having to sit out on the gym floor all spaced out. I’m also excited that we get to be closer as a team on the bench, where we can see each other’s excitement, and have the game just feel more emotional and together.
Q: What else are you looking forward to this semester and why?
A: I’m looking forward to being able to do all the events that we weren’t able to do last year. Recently, we had bouncy houses … and all those campus activities that were canceled last year due to COVID. Also, I’m looking forward to going to other sports games like football and getting to experience that.
Q: So far, what is your favorite class and why?
A: My favorite class so far is an introduction to the Old Testament. I like it because I’ve always grown up learning the Bible from a religious viewpoint, and now it’s more of an almost historical or scientific viewpoint in a way.
Q: Are there some activities or groups you would like to see started around campus? If so, what are they and why?
A: I would like to see a recycling center opened up here on campus. I think it’s very important for our environment, and I think it would be a good way for everybody to get involved.
Q: What will be the most challenging part about this school year for you?
A: Not being able to go home and see my family because it’s such a long drive. On another note, it’ll be nice because they can come to some of the games, and we will see them here and there because there’s no longer COVID restrictions.