Ask the expert: first in a series
Alejandra Yañez | THE RIDER
As students return to campus for the Fall 2020 semester, they will be faced with more than just first day jitters with COVID-19 still prevalent in Brownsville and Edinburg.
This weeks Ask the Expert questions are from Priscilla Krantz, a pre-med clinical laboratory science senior, and Mirna Zamudio, a communication science and disorders sophomore.
Both students will be attending labs in person for Fall 2020.
Krantz anticipates trying not to contract COVID-19 and keeping up with her program will be the biggest challenges for her this semester.
Asked how she felt about returning to campus, Zamudio replied, “I’m kind of hesitant because of everything going on with the pandemic. I’m not really sure how the class is gonna work, or how the atmosphere is gonna be.”
Krantz also had her reservations about going back to campus, but told The Rider once she spoke with her professors about the guidelines and environment UTRGV will provide, she felt more comfortable with her decision.
Asked what questions Zamudio has for UTRGV officials, the sophomore replied she wants to know what she can do to ensure she maintains her focus and stays motivated to learn during the pandemic.
She anticipates the greatest challenge this semester will be collaborating with her peers during labs. Since the logistics have not been explained yet, Zamudio said experiments could be overwhelming for just one person.
“I feel like we’re gonna be separated and not really be able to do partnered stuff like we used to in the labs,” she said. “For the experiments, we usually have partners and I feel like it’s gonna be everyone on their own. So, we’re not really gonna have anyone to lean on but ourselves and the professor.”
Both students told The Rider they don’t think the university will be able to enforce students following CDC guidelines while on campus.
“I think students will try to do the 6-feet rule, but I also feel like people are gonna go to campus and they’re gonna see their friends,” Krantz said. “It’s gonna be enforced, but it really depends on the students.”
Asked what questions Kratz has for UTRGV officials, the senior replied, she wants to know how to practice social distancing while on a busy campus.
“You can only separate yourself so much in one classroom and walking to each building, and stuff like that,” Zamudio said.
Asked how she thinks she will fare academically during this unique semester, Krantz replied she feels she won’t do as well in her online classes but will try her best.
“I’m probably not gonna get as much information as I could have in a normal semester,” Zamudio said. “Just because it’s probably gonna be rushed to ensure we won’t have to be in the same class as long as we usually would be. And the information won’t process as well because everyone’s gonna be concerned with other things like keeping clean and not getting too close.”
UTRGV Experts
Paul Sale, professor and interim chair for the department of psychological science, addressed some of the concerns and questions students brought up.
His biggest piece of advice for students is to heed the CDC guidelines and talk to their professors regularly throughout the semester.
“When possible, stay out of the crowds,” Sale said.
In response to Zamudio’s question regarding partnered activities, Sale suggests maintaining connections at a distance with peers, but not to isolate oneself in the process.
If a student becomes uncomfortable with their situation on campus due to COVID-19, Sale replied, “Never just stop showing up. Talk to your professors about it.”
Maria Alejandra Mazariegos, a clinical therapist at the Counseling Center, said, “I think that if a student has a reservation about going back to campus, they really need to explore the options that UTRGV has for services via telehealth or remotely. It’s my understanding that pretty much every office at the university has a virtual space and accommodation. So, they don’t ever have to feel pressured to come to campus.”
For students who are feeling anxious about having classes in person, Mazariegos advises to look into other options such as, taking an online class instead, getting on a waitlist, speaking with an academic advisor for more options or even withdrawing from the course.
She said students need to know that their well-being and mental health is more important than any class.
“This [anxiety] is different, this is not just like, ‘Oh, I’m anxious about going to class’, this has to do with a potential life and death situation,” Mazariegos said. “So, I think that anxiety around the topic is absolutely normal and they shouldn’t feel pressure on themselves to have to stick with their original plan of attending in person classes if they are becoming anxious about it.”
In response to Zamudio’s question regarding maintaining focus throughout this unique semester, Mazariegos replied to stay flexible during this trying time and to set up a routine that works for you.
“Don’t try to recreate Fall 2019 in Fall 2020, because it is a completely different way of life now,” she said. “So, have an open mindset to trying new things and being open to exploring different options.”
Mazariegos said keeping a mentality of adaptation is important to remember during unpredictable times, and may even bring new opportunities.
In response to Krantz’ question about how to ensure you practice social distancing on campus, Mazariegos replied, “If you’re gonna go out on campus, take some time in the car to remind yourself that you’re gonna practice social distancing and CDC guidelines. … Engage in mindful stress reduction exercises such as deep breathing or meditation, that way you can go into campus calm even before getting there.”
For more tips on how to have a successful semester, students can follow the Counseling Center’s Instagram page @utrgvcounselingcenter.
If students are feeling emotionally overwhelmed, they can always call the Crisis Line, active 24/7, at (956) 665-5555.
