Summary

The article describes the unique challenges and changes in the college campus experience due to the pandemic, including adjustments to roommate dynamics, increased personal discipline for online classes, the absence of traditional social activities, and concerns about tuition costs amidst reduced campus services.

Abstract

The author reflects on the unconventional aspects of living on a college campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the heightened importance of roommate relationships as they become a primary source of social interaction due to the lack of traditional college social life. The necessity for self-motivation and discipline in education has intensified with the shift to remote learning, as professors are less likely to personally follow up on students' engagement and performance. Despite the temptation to partake in the limited remaining social gatherings, the author chooses to prioritize public health over the typical college nightlife. Additionally, the author expresses frustration over increased tuition costs without a corresponding increase in the quality or quantity of educational services provided, highlighting the business-oriented nature of higher education institutions.

Opinions

The author views the randomized roommate assignment process positively, as it led to compatible living arrangements despite the increased time spent together due to the pandemic.
There is a strong emphasis on personal responsibility in managing academic workload, with a suggestion to use organizational tools like planners to stay on track.
The author believes that the traditional college experience, including parties and nightlife, has been significantly diminished and should not take precedence over public health concerns.
The author is critical of the financial aspects of higher education during the pandemic, noting that tuition costs have risen despite the reduction in campus services and resources.
The author implies that colleges prioritize financial gain over the well-being and educational experience of students, particularly in the context of the pandemic.

What It’s Like Living on a College Campus During a Pandemic

That is, before my university gets shut down again.

This semester, I entered my junior year of college and have made the forced choice to move back to live on my college campus (since I still have one in-person class). While I am excited with the rest of the masses here to have my independence away from my family back and getting social interactions with new people daily, it is still no where near the same lifestyle before the pandemic.

Some of these issues I have dealt with on my campus are things I’m sure essential workers have been facing since March. But since I wasn't essential and in isolation, coming back to college was a whole new adjustment for me. Therefore, I compiled a list of the highlights of living on a college campus and how different it is from a “traditional” college experience.

Your Roommates Are Your New Forced Family

For the first time in my college career when I selected my housing, I registered with completely random roommates as opposed to previously making my own setup. While I was intimidated by the idea (because I would be spending more time with them as opposed to a normal semester) and I would be taking the risk of not getting along with them, my situation turned out all right. But somehow through a randomized system and the grace of God, I was given three other suite mates that all have the same personality types and interests as me.

Regardless of whether or not I was going to get along with my roommates, either way I would have been spending 24/7 with them. They’re the ones I share a bathroom with, cook and eat dinner with, and talk about my classes with since most days they are the only people I see. And while this would all happen during a normal semester anyways, our relationship goes deeper than that because we’re in a pandemic and classes are online.

Being in four completely different programs, years, minors, and extra curricular groups, we all still come together, attend class, and study all from the same location. Currently, I’m a double major in theatre and communications, but two of my other roommates are majoring in dance while the third is majoring in biology. It definitely feels like you’re in a freshman year seminar or general education class all over again when the most randomized mix of students are put in the same place.

But, despite our similarities and differences, it has been a learning experience to not only live with strangers, but live with strangers in a time where we spend most of our time working and relaxing in our house without ever having to leave.

Your Discipline Matters Now More Than Ever

One of the biggest pieces of advice everyone tells you when you enter college is that no one is going to hold your hand and walk you to senior graduation. You are responsible for yourself and your own actions. If you don’t uphold those responsibilities, no one is going to come chasing after you, and this holds much more weight over online classes compared to classes in person.

While there are some professors that won’t say anything to you if you don’t show up to class or don’t put in the work, there are still some that will encourage you to go to their office hours or ask if there is something else going on outside of the classroom. But now that most classes are over Zoom, this is must less likely to happen.

With everything school related now being remote, a professor doesn't have the attention, time, or energy to look through their laptop and put together why you haven’t come to any Zoom meetings or why you haven’t submitted any assignments online. I mean this in the nicest and least intimidating way possible, but in a sense, you are completely on your own.

No one is going to confront you in person if you’re coming up short. Professors will just give you a zero and move on. And trust me, they’re not going to feel bad about it, it’s their job.

Buy a planner, write down what you need to do, and stop procrastinating. Simple as that.

Parties, Hook Ups, and Nightlife is Non Existent

The time leading up to me packing for college and anticipating going back, I wasn't quite sure how to wrap my head around what my free time would look like. Despite the fact at larger universities there are still irresponsible fraternities and freshmen throwing huge parties, nightlife is no longer really a part of the new normal.

For example, I am currently writing this over my first college weekend. Unlike other years where I would be in a frat house basement or downtown getting drinks and dinner with my friends, I spent this weekend sitting alone in my apartment, writing, and having some glasses of wine. While there isn’t anything wrong with this and it can be relaxing, it’s not how I imagined the second half of my college experience.

I also want to acknowledge that although this is technically a “choice” (because there are still plenty of students at my school having parties) I don’t want to contribute to further spread of the coronavirus. Putting other people’s health at risk isn’t worth spending a subpar night in a crowded and sweaty room with horny men. If I have to spend a few extra months in quarantine, working on my content, and working on myself, I will do that if it makes this pandemic end faster.

Somehow, It Became More Expensive

I don’t know why, and I don’t know how, but from the looks of it, I paid more this year on tuition than I ever have before. While I can understand that during the pandemic many institutions have lost money, I can’t find it justifiable that I spent more this year than I have in past years with the same financial aid and scholarships.

In addition to the extra costs, there is less offered. For example, the gym and fitness center is closed indefinitely but are compensating by it by doing “zoom fitness classes” every month or so.

The coronavirus pandemic I believe was the event that finally gave me the clarity that colleges are a business first, and a school second. At the end of the day, they want money, and if it means capitalizing on the pandemic through online and remote learning, then they will do that.

Overall, while the experience may feel weird now, it will definitely be an interesting story to look back on decades from now. I will be able to confidently tell my kids I tried to receive a higher education during a historical event and global pandemic.