COVID-19: Our New Reality | A College Student Reflection

COVID-19 which is also known as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 has impacted the world in many ways. According to cdc.gov, As of April 8thth, 2020, there have been 400,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States. COVID-19 was first introduced to the World Health Organization China Office on December 31st,2019, but ever since its’ introduction, the world has been in a frenzy. 
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According to lexico.com, the definition of the word frenzy is a state or period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behavior. At this moment, the United States is the definition of the word frenzy. During March, the government issued a shutdown which not only affected the stock market, but it affected every American daily life. From school closures to grocery stores being wiped out and to being quarantined, our lives have not been the same. But for college students, how will we adjust to our new reality? Will we adjust to our new reality? and how will this new reality affect us not only physically, but mentally?

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As a college student, I was forced to leave Alabama State University on March 13th, 2020 and ever since life as a college student has not been the same. When you are used to being able to meet with your professors face-to-face in a classroom setting then you are only left with one option which is to meet with your professors virtually, a serious adjustment must be made. From August to May, college students, along with their parents, are used to being on their college campus with their friends, significant others, professors, and even enemies. During those nine months, college students are faced with obstacles that are to help them grow into the women/men that they aspire to be. Once COVID-19 started to worsen, many college students were not only forced to return home, but some were forced to return home without getting their things from school.

Along with being forced to return home, schools have turned to virtual classes. By being a college student, I can fully relate to being forced into learning online versus in the classroom. Many emotions and feelings are going through your mind such as being discouraged, irritated, or even empowered. During these troublesome times I would like to leave you with advice and tips:

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1. Take Care of Your Mental/Physical Health: Of course, you should stay connected with friends and take daily walks for a breath of fresh air, but you should also limit your news intake, make a routine, and move your body.
2. Finish Strong: As a college student during a pandemic, you must remember that school is not over yet. You may not be physically on campus, but classes are still in session. I have been experiencing many feelings such as frustration, demotivation, and laziness. There may be a lot going on around you, but I do believe that you can still accomplish having a 4.0 GPA for the semester.
3. Practice Social Distancing and Being Clean: As the days go by, our world is constantly changing. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends practicing social distancing and if you must go out to do essential tasks, you must be six feet away from the next person. Along with this, the CDC recommends washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. 
4. We Are All in This Together: While we are practicing social distancing, remember to uplift yourself, your neighbors, and your community during these troublesome times. We will get through this together and this too shall pass. Daily, I reach out to my family and friends and try to uplift them and keep them in positive/good spirits. If you have not incorporated this into your routine already, I think that you should.

To everyone that is reading this, I encourage you to practice social distancing and I also encourage you to encourage yourself. Being in the house all the time can feel restrictive and demotivating, but I urge you to stay active and pick up on a new hobby that you are interested in starting. We may not know when COVID-19 will end or how it will end, but until we receive those answers remember to remain optimistic and in good spirits.

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Written By: Nakiyah McCafferty

My name is Nakiyah McCafferty and I am from Birmingham, Alabama. I am currently a Sophomore at Alabama State University. I am majoring in Social Work where I aspire to become a Medical Social Worker.