22 College Lasts I'll Never Get To Experience Thanks To The Coronavirus | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

22 College Lasts I'll Never Get To Experience Thanks To The Coronavirus

As a college senior, who just had his last semester of classes moved online and graduation postponed, words can't even begin to express the level of sadness that I am currently experiencing, being robbed of those senior celebrations I have worked so hard to enjoy.

168
22 College Lasts I'll Never Get To Experience Thanks To The Coronavirus
Ethan Williamson

Upon hearing the unfortunate news that Penn State has canceled in-person classes for the rest of the spring semester, I can not help but cry over all those memories with my friends that I will never get to have—that sense of closure and proper goodbye to my college town and everyone in it.

Here are some of the things that I was looking forward to most that are no longer a possibility, as a result of the coronavirus:

1. 55 Days of Cafe

Ever since I was a freshman, I could not wait until it was my turn to celebrate those last few months with my friends by taking part in this senior year tradition. I would see those happy seniors sitting at the outdoor tables on my way to class and think about how one day that would be me, ending a long day of classes with a good old day drink.

2. Friday nights at the ShandyGaff

$6 Pitchers of Strawberry Lemonade... I'll take two, please! Every Friday night my friends and I would go to this bar. It was the only thing that got us through a long week of classes and exams. Although not the most popular bar in State College, we always had the most fun here jamming out to the many throwback songs.

3. Post-going out food trips

After a night out with friends, we would always get some food on the way home before recapping the night at Beaver Hill. Sometimes these late-night talks were even more fun than the actual night out! I'll never forget the time when the Bagel Crust worker nicely charged my friend's phone after leaving it there at 2 A.M.

4. Graduation

Although at this time Penn State has only postponed our graduation rather than outright canceling it, the future of it does not look promising with so many other universities already canceling theirs. I am devastated that my four years of hard work may not be properly celebrated... that I will never walk across the BJC stadium and receive my diploma.

5. My apartment

Located in the perfect spot downtown, nice and close to all my classes and the bars, my apartment was the ideal place to unwind and order something from Grubhub after class. I loved having a space of my own for the first time to host wine nights and have friends visit on the weekends.

6. Dirty Sprites from Champs

7. Classes in Thomas Building

I think it is virtually impossible not to have a class in this building. I had my first class here as a freshman and did not expect my last time here to be before spring break!

8. Sunny days spent on the Hub Lawn/Old Main

I looked forward to the sunny, spring days spent relaxing outside with my Jamba Juice after classes.

9. Walks up the dreaded Shortlidge Hill

Although I was out of breath by the time I made it to my Thomas class, that route was a good source of daily exercise.

10. The Whoop

Who would have thought it was possible to miss a public transportation system so much?!?! The Whoop was always there for me since freshmen year (will always remember the fun rides from East Halls to the frats) and has never failed to get me to where I needed to be despite rain, snow, and sleet.

11. The Lib

The library was a place of comfort for me, an escape from any roommate drama and a place where I could get all my work done. I will miss the time spend there hanging with friends and studying for exams on third floor Paterno.

12. The Creamery

Home of legendary ice cream and even better (in my personal opinion) lemonade, I would have loved to stop here one last time before graduating.

13. Having everyone within walking distance

Gone are the days where my Snap Map was full of friends nearby to hang out with! Being back home these last few weeks has really shown me how much I miss everyone.

14. Living in a town where everyone is your own age

I really miss running into so many familiar faces on my walks to class and around downtown State College. It's such a sad thought that you will never be in a town of so many people your own age again in your life :(

15. Actually having a chance at love

This point kind of goes along with the last one, but after being home these last few weeks I have seen how bad my options are locally and would do anything to give State College love a shot again!

16. Drake Bell performing at the Phyrst

Who wouldn't want to see one of their favorite childhood stars at a bar downtown ?!?! First the Jonas Brothers and now Drake Bell coming (before the semester was suddenly canceled) could have been yet another highlight of my senior year.

17. "We Are" chants

The spring semester was the time where all the accepted student visits would occur. You couldn't go anywhere without seeing groups of incoming freshmen on tours with the guide shouting "We Are."

18. Morning Starbucks trips

I never got to say a proper goodbye to my favorite Starbucks employee who would always have my Strawberry Acai Refreshers ready to go before my 9 A.M. classes.

19. Having my ID bent a million and one times at Sharkies

Got to love being 22 and looking 12...this was where I would buy all my alcohol conveniently located near my apartment and after the first few trips, they knew me by name!

20. The Willard Preacher

This man is a Penn State staple that I will never have the pleasure of listening to again in the near future. It was also interesting watching him debate controversial topics with students between classes, and I would love to see what he would have thought about the Coronavirus.

21. The Blue and White Game

Words can not express how upset I am that we will not be gathering outside of Beaver Stadium this April with family and friends for one last tailgate! This event was the best part of the spring semester hands down, and it just doesn't feel right having it canceled, especially as a senior.

22. Graduation pictures with friends

Last of all, with the rest of the semester being canceled, it is going to be SO much more difficult to get everyone together to take graduation pictures at the Lion Shrine and other iconic spots at Penn State.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
smiling girl in pink and white stripe shirt

I'll never forget the day that someone told me these words: "Madison, I think you're a good friend to everyone but yourself." I stood there completely in awe of that statement. Before that day, I never really thought about being a friend to myself, and at the time, I didn't really know what it meant. Now, I realize that you can't fully be there for other people unless you're there for yourself, too. You can't show up for others until you're willing to show up for yourself.

Here are five things everyone should learn in order to be a better friend to themselves. These steps are hard, but they're so worth it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas decorations
YouTube

Finals, exams and papers - oh my! The only thing keeping you sane at the moment is the thought that Christmas break is near. Need a mid-week pick-me-up? Here are some simple things you can do to stay motivated and get into the Christmas spirit.

1. Play Christmas Music

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

21 Things We All Love About Winter

Despite the cold, you might find that there is a lot to love about winter.

454
pine cone winter
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

We all have a love hate relationship with winter, lets be real here. The snow makes people forget how to drive, its cold, the roads are bad, and chances are, you will be spending a lot more money than you do during the other months of the year. If you’re from the Midwest, it seems to be that winter lasts for what feels like forever. But despite the struggles that winter brings, there are so many things to love about it.

Keep Reading...Show less
christmas shopping bags

Shopping for your family and friends can be expensive. So why not make something small and cute while not emptying your bank account?

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The Post Thanksgiving Panic And Anxiety

It happens to all of us, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas the catch up with you.

1760
studying

Thanksgiving Break is most likely everyone’s favorite break during the fall semester. You get to go home and reminisce with all your high school friends. That diet you’ve been on for the past month goes out the window, and you get to eat until you put yourself into a food coma. There’s no rush on homework and you can just lie in bed and Netflix to your heart’s content. To me that sounds like an ideally wonderful break, and totally stress-free.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments