Oregon State University’s Corvallis campus came alive last week with the buzz of students beginning a new academic year. After over a year of isolation and distance learning, OSU’s halls and classrooms are now filled with students returning to in-person learning. Students were generally excited to be back on campus, but some also spoke of the nerves and uncertainty they experienced due to the pandemic.
When asked how it felt to be back on campus, Ezra B., a fourth-year transfer student, said, “I’m feeling pretty good. I was looking forward to doing things like playing Frisbee with my friends, actually seeing other people, and walking further than the fridge to get food. I feel like I have all this social energy built up, and it feels good to release it.”
Sophomore Tjaden A. shared this sentiment: “I am a very social person, so not being able to interact with people face-to-face was difficult for me. Being back on campus is definitely bringing out the social skills that were dusty after being alone for a year and a half.”
Others, like freshman Briana C., said their social skills still feel “a little rusty.”
When reflecting on the last school year, sophomore Anna P. said, “For me, the hardest part was separating my school life from everything else,” noting that the return to campus has helped re-establish a work-life balance.
Freshman Wes A. said, “There’s a cool energy that could be felt on campus, despite it feeling a little startling to be around so many people again.” Wes noted that it was difficult to get over the fear of COVID, but that they were still excited to be meeting new people.
Other students shared these conflicting emotions.
Ph.D. student Ana A. said, “I like being on campus, but at the same time I don’t know how I feel about being in an enclosed space so close to others.” Ana also mentioned feeling unsure of the protocol for things like shaking hands, and eating and drinking near others.
While the move back to in-person learning has sparked high levels of energy and excitement among students, nerves, uncertainty, and questions on what is truly safe remain. Students, along with the larger OSU community, will all be navigating through these questions and emotions as the university moves to its next phase of pandemic learning this 2021 academic year.
By Olivia Goodfriend
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