With COVID-19 spreading in places all over the world, people are understandably confused and even stressed about what to do in their specific situations. Many of us laugh at the useless logic of buying out entire grocery stores worth of toilet paper and hand sanitizer when washing hands actually requires soap and people use tissues for a cold (at least I hope they do). While lots of people think about distancing themselves from older family members and immunocompromised friends during this unusual time of uncertainty, most college students have additional worries: taking online classes for the rest of the semester.
It seems pretty fair to say that everything concerning the Coronavirus escalated quickly, at least within the media. At first, it seemed like something that would stay in one area. Next thing you know, the virus has spread to different countries around the world, including Italy and the United States. With the panic, not only do college students have to worry about the toilet paper shortage (which again I still do not understand) or possibly spreading germs to their family members but on top of all that, most of us still have assignments to do.
Switching to online classes is the strangest thing. While it is cool that I can do my work at a better-relaxed pace, I still feel like most on-campus students do. If we wanted online classes, we would have started with them to begin with. Campus life plays a big role in the college experience, so now that it's reduced to emails and non-stop reminders to wash our hands, things feel drained from what they were just a couple of weeks ago.
Students are so confused these days.
With different colleges taking extra precautions, students can even look at memes and poke fun at the virus - not to be mean to anyone who has the virus, but to cope with the fact that the fun-loving, sunshiny spring semester they planned on isn't really a thing anymore.
Despite the topsy turvy insanity, this generation of college students will be able to say that they could manage school while the world around them seemed to literally fall in pieces around them.
I advise everyone everywhere to keep yourselves healthy and entertained as much as possible, and please stop overbuying toilet paper and hand sanitizer for the love of all that is holy and pure in this world!
