Isolation by Corona is worse than it sounds...

Well, this is definitely awkward. No one would have thought this semester would have ended early, but coronavirus had different plans for all of us. This semester was going to be a productive one, but now every class I am taking has migrated to online learning. Right now, I am back home in Illinois with my family waiting for a coronavirus killing vaccine. I have left my desk attendant job at Mizzou and have once again regained my position behind the deli counter at Kramer Foods in Hinsdale.

I am taking four classes this semester, that are pre-requisite courses before I dive into my preferred major. Those classes are microeconomics, world archaeology, statistics, and American Government. Both microeconomics and statistics have been the toughest courses I have taken so far in my college career. When classes were still in person, I would go to my microeconomics professor’s hours to fully comprehend the lesson being taught that day. Statistics has been taken entirely online which I have not enjoyed at all. It is frustrating I cannot meet anyone in person to discuss certain homework questions and when I do take a test, I rarely if ever, feel confident. At least now that classes are taught remotely, I can instead take mini quizzes on lessons we learn the rest of the semester.

Besides school, here’s what’s been happening to me in my personal life. My friend and his band were planning to release their first full album in April, but now the concert release show has been moved to September. In terms of my article writing, I tried my best to publish one story a week while dealing with classes. One article included interviewing the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness when he came to visit campus in February to give a keynote speech to students. His speech discussed the far-reaching implications of how climate change affects small island nations like his home country in the Caribbean. I also participated once again in the 2020 True/False Documentary Film Festival. I met some wonderful people from around the world as they showed their films to hundreds of people. Too bad it was two weeks before classes got suspended and my spring break trip got cancelled. I have also signed a lease to my first apartment in Columbia for next year.

If school is open next fall, I will be fully immersing myself in my broadcasting major. By next spring, I will hopefully be studying abroad in London and if not, then I will try to study abroad my Senior year of college. If I am going to become an international correspondent, I must broaden my horizons beyond the Midwest and the United States. Until my next post, please wash your hands for 20 seconds and don’t forget to keep yourself isolated for the safety of others. These next few weeks will be tough, but have faith in yourself and keep following hygienic practices.

Here's a single from my friend's band, Post Sex Nachos. Give it a listen!