University of Kentucky students two weeks ago were excited about spring break. Everyone was excited for a break from classes and a break from reality. Everyone was excited to spend time on a beach with friends or to go home to spend some time with family. Nobody ever imagined that UK would announce classes would be online for two weeks following spring break due to the Coronavirus. Everyone joked that it would mean an extended spring break for many and it brought the idea of long days on the beach in Florida. Never did anyone imagine that two weeks would change to UK being online for the rest of the semester. What started as a simple three-week spring break changed into many not seeing their best friends for five months. It turned into seniors having to realize they had experienced their last moments without knowing it. The Coronavirus truly changed life for The University of Kentucky students, faculty, staff and college students in general around the world.
Seniors at The University of Kentucky are all now back home stuck with dealing with eh fact that they experienced some of their last senior moments and did not even know it would be there last. Seniors never imagined that they would never again sit in a UK class with their friends. Seniors never imagined that there last night out at Two keys or Tin Roof would be the last with friends. Seniors now have to process the grief of never getting a true goodbye with friends, teachers, sorority sisters, fraternity, brothers, club members. The seniors who planned to have all these last moments have now had them taken from them. My heart aches for the seniors at UK. These seniors make me realize that my next year of college I can not take simple moments for granted because you truly never know what changes life can bring.
University of Kentucky students live for March Madness. Almost everyone on campus lives and breathes UK basketball during March. The Coronavirus halted all sports for the time being which meant the cancellations of March Madness. University of Kentucky students lost some of the tradition that makes being a UK student so unique. March Madness is soothing special UK students get to experience whether it is on State Street or at Tin Roof. The March Madness experience is one many looks reared to experiencing at UK. That is all halted because of the Coronavirus.
Another thing UK students look forward to in the spring is Keeneland. Keeneland is only open in October and April and it is when college students can get all dressed up with friends and enjoy a day at the horse races. It is a tradition Kentucky students alike look forward to. The Coronavirus halted the races with any type of audience for the time being.
University of Kentucky students all went on b break expecting to see their best friends again as well as their teachers and co-workers, etc. Nobody expected to leave for a break and not be allowed back till August. Coronavirus truly changed everyone's lives. The Coronavirus teaches us all that we cannot take life and days for granted because you truly do not know when you have experienced something for the last time or when you have spent the last time with someone for a while.
I hope all UK students and college students find peace during this crazy anxiety-filled time. Remember to wash your hands, practice social distancing and stay inside when possible so we all can get back on campus as soon as possible.
