Life at Clemson has certainly changed since we all left for spring break – largely because we’re not at Clemson anymore. In response to COVID-19, Clemson University moved to online instruction for the rest of the spring semester and suspended Clemson events until May 8th, including the Ring Ceremony and May commencement. Even though some of us expected such action, Clemson students were shocked and devastated by the announcement.
On the eve of online instruction beginning, I reached out to Clemson students to find out how they’re actually dealing with this, and here’s what they said.
Austin Seter
Clemson Student
How are you handling social distancing?
“Boredom and anxiety at having to be back home”
Sara Ciplickas
HC Clemson Writer
How are you handling social distancing?
“It sucks but FaceTime is great :) I have a home gym so time to get a killer summer bod”
Do you have any advice for others during this time?
“Take care of yourself. Remember this is temporary and for the safety of others. This is a great time for mental health!”
Jordan
Clemson Student
How are you handling social distancing?
“This is very stressful. My spring ‘break’ has only been stress in figuring out how to cope and trying to distract my parents from this financial burden.”
Do you have any advice for others during this time?
“Try to stay positive. ??♀️ Try out a new hobby.”
Lauren
Clemson Student
How are you handling social distancing?
“Working at a local restaurant; staying at home: reading, catching up on TV and rewatching movies, writing (fiction); going on runs”
Do you have any advice for others during this time?
“Keep in contact with friends and family—check up on them! Also, check up on yourself and get outside (go for a walk or run or sit in the sun) and away from screens.”
Niara Hargrave
HC Clemson Co-Director of Social Media
How are you handling social distancing?
“Quality time is my love language so not doing that great. Its fine but I miss my friends. I feel like summer of ‘17 again cause it’s just me and my sister watching tv together all spring break cause our plans got canceled. Online is gonna be a challenge.”
Do you have any advice for others during this time?
“Go outside! Maybe take a drive. At least sit in your back yard for a few minutes or check the mail or something. Social distancing is all well and good, but dont forget about fresh air.”
Sam Dodd
Clemson Student
How are you handling social distancing?
“Virtual hangouts with friends, time with family, working, etc…”
Do you have any advice for others during this time?
“Make sure you don’t lose contact with your friends. FaceTime and other virtual meeting apps are a great resource. Use them!”
Mary Atieh
Clemson Student
How are you handling social distancing?
“To preface, I’ve been burnt out for a while, but ever since I came home (and can’t hang out with my friends) I’ve found myself rested and bored. The way I’m handling social distancing, though, is looking up articles of ideas that interest me or activities to do. For example, my mom asked if she should get croissants from the store. I said no, but then I wondered if I could make croissants instead. In another instance, I decided to embrace the hype of Tik Tok and learned the ‘Say So’ dance. Though I haven’t caught up on my school work—we are on break, after all—I’ve caught up on the activities I shoved aside to work, see friends, and study.”
Do you have any advice for others during this time?
“Embrace the time you have in isolation to learn more about yourself or try something new! I know that’s a typical answer, but it’s true!
Personally, I’m an introvert and I’ve deprived myself of real alone time all semester, so not seeing friends is a sigh of relief to an extent. Maybe this advice won’t help you, but there are so many things you could do! You could find a puzzle from the depths of your attic/basement/closet. You could find a sudoku game online and solve it. You could run outside. You could play tennis. You could outside your porch and hear the sounds of the bird deliberating on how to spend their day. You could help a fellow student out and fill out her article that helped you confirm the fact that you sound like a 70-year-old. So, live and learn about your life while we have the chance for everything to have slowed down. This sounds so melodramatic I’m sorry. TL;DR basically that Ferris Bueller quote about if you don’t stop to look around for a while, you might just miss it.”
Anonymous
Clemson Student
How are you handling social distancing?
“Running and playing the piano more”
Maria Christenbury
Clemson Student
How are you handling social distancing?
“It is awful.”
Do you have any advice for others during this time?
“No, but I need all the advice for myself.”
