Coronavirus has left us with closed campuses, cancelled semesters, and online classes. Here are 13 things that I miss about my pre-coronavirus college life that you might miss too.
1. The Feeling Of Coming Back To Your Dorm After A Long Day Of Classes
Fordham University Tierney Hall
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There is no better feeling than finishing a long day of classes and finally being able to put down your bag and flop onto your (twin extra long) bed.
2. Watching Campus Come Alive In The Spring
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Grass gets greener, flowers bloom, and students actually come outside for reasons other than walking to class.
3. Learning Inside An Actual Classroom
Online classes have proved difficult in terms of keeping track of assignments and due dates. Aside from that, I miss a learning environment where I was surrounded by other people who were also there to learn. Typing away inside my bedroom doesn't have the same effect.
4. Stopping For Coffee To Start My Day Right
This is such a small thing, but I really do miss strolling over to Fordham's Starbucks location, or the nearby Dunkin, at the beginning of my day.
5. Running Into Friends In The Hallways Or Around Campus
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I definitely took this for granted. I find myself really missing having the privilege of seeing friendly faces around as I go about my day, and I miss my college friends more than anything right now.
6. Getting To Live With My Best Friends
I seriously miss sharing an apartment with my best friends, or knowing that they were right down the hall, right upstairs, or just two blocks away. Having my support system all around me at all times is something I took for granted.
7. Being Able To Constantly Make New Friends
Being on a college campus allows you to constantly expand your social network, meet new people, and make new friends. This is something I thrive off of, as I love establishing new connections and forming friendships. College lets you do this at times when you least expect it, and that is how some of my absolute best friendships were born.
8. Making Spontaneous Memories
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I miss the freedom college brings in terms of having so many things at your disposal. As a student at Fordham, Manhattan is right around the corner, and I miss always having options and things to do.
9. Darty Season
Every school seems to call this something different, but at Fordham, darty season is the best time of the year. The sun is out, public safety stops caring what anyone does at any time anywhere, and everyone is either drunk, tan, or both at pretty much all times. Darty season at Fordham also means Spring Weekend festivities, including a concert, are right around the corner. This semester we are missing out on these in order to stay safe and keep each other healthy, but I sure do miss it like crazy.
10. Reading Drunk Texts With Friends The Next Day
One of the funniest parts of nights out at college is easily the drunk texts that get sent. This is such a minor thing, but I do miss sharing that laugh with friends the next morning.
11. Living Among All Of My Peers
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College campuses really are like their own little world, and I very much miss the feeling of knowing my friends, acquaintances, and crushes (let's be real here) are within walking distance.
12. The Library
Okay, okay. I know. You might think I'm crazy, but hear me out. The campus library is like an oasis for days when you can't concentrate and really need some peace and quiet to get your sh*t done. I have always been most productive at the library, and I miss having that option.
13. The Feeling Of Being Part Of The Campus Community
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Sure, having college courses online still lets you connect with your classmates, but it could never live up to the feeling of walking around and seeing everyone you know, or being in class with friends you made freshman year that you still get along with. Online classes are wonderful, and we should all be so grateful for our education regardless of the circumstances, but there is simply nothing better than being on campus with people you care about.
I know I speak for us all when I say I can't wait for all of this chaos to be over so we can get back to our lives on and around campus. In the meantime, though, practice social distancing, and don't go out and about unless absolutely necessary. That's the only way we can get through this faster.
