Iโve never really been a homebody. I prefer planning activities that require me to leave my house, such as visiting friends, spending an evening at a coffee shop, shopping at the mall or having lunch at a new restaurant. When news of the coronavirus turning into a pandemic happened overnight, I saw my Spring Break, 20th birthday and spring semester plans all change right before my eyes.
Last week, many of my friends, who attend other Texas universities, were upset when they received word their schools would extend Spring Break by a week and then transition to online courses. At first, I didnโt see the problem with getting an extra week of break and then taking online classes for a couple of weeks. However, the more I thought about it, the more I hoped UTRGV wouldnโt do the same.
I thought about how difficult my daily school routine would become if UTRGV shifted from face-to-face lectures to online courses. Online classes have never been a first option for me. Learning in the classroom has always been the easiest, most effective way I learn and understand material. Iโve taken a couple of hybrid classes (courses that are online one day and face to face another), and Iโve noticed I tend to struggle on assignments, discussions and learning the material.
Knowing my grades may struggle due to this extreme change worries me. So far, I have been able to keep my grades at a place that I am proud of, but if classes continue to be online for the rest of the semester, will that change, too?
Working at home will be new territory for me as well. I prefer and enjoy working at the newsroom on campus simply because it is easier to speak with advisers and co-workers, upload stories and edit all in one place. Even though I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to work at all, separating work from academia from home life will present an entirely new challenge. Finding motivation to get through all three tasks might be difficult as well.
Since Jan. 1, Iโve spoken about turning 20 years old and throwing a party with all my friends and family to celebrate. So, when health entities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization began advising against large social gatherings, I thought, โOK, thatโs OK. I can still go to dinner with my close friends and celebrate then.โ
Last Thursday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a statewide public health disaster and issued an executive order requiring all schools, bars, gyms and dine-in restaurants to temporarily shut down. So, I guess my dinner, like many other events in the country right now, will be postponed to a later date.
Although I am upset at how much has changed in my life in such little time, I genuinely agree with social distancing, practicing good hygiene and other precautionary measures being implemented. I believe I speak for most of the country when I say I prefer to stay isolated, and maybe even a little bored, for a couple weeks than witness the virusโ full potential.
Stay home. Host a virtual game night with friends. Avoid clubbing or partying (I promise 17th Street is not going anywhere). Sing a song while you wash your hands for 20 seconds. Focus on your studies. Meditate. Start bullet journaling.
Letโs all do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by staying home. Even if youโre like me and prefer going out over staying home, we can all make the difference by adapting to a new, temporary lifestyle.
