Students are reflecting on the past year of COVID-19 guidelines and hoping for a COVID-less future.
The past year and a half at Oklahoma City University were filled with COVID-surveillance testing, social distancing, Zoom classes and the pressure to keep up academically without any breaks.
Due to monthly surveillance testing, access to vaccines and social distancing, COVID-19 cases have decreased drastically on campus this semester, reaching 0 active cases on campus multiple times. Some students are hopeful this trend will mean a future semester without, or with minimal, COVID-19 guidelines.
Cassidy Fetters, education freshman, said despite not getting a normal freshman experience, she’s been able to maintain friendships.
“This school year is definitely not what I expected. It’s definitely not your typical freshman year. However, I’ve gotten the opportunity to make connections through my sorority and Miracle Marathon,” Fetters said.
Fetters said the experience has been difficult socially, but she said she hopes next year will be better.
“It’s been hard, not being able to see people without masks or to be able to hug my sweet friends of mine, but I do look forward to next year. I think my social life will be way better with the lifted COVID restrictions,” Fetters said.
Amanda Boozer, music sophomore, said the most surprising thing about this school year has been how everyone on campus has come together to support the rules and each other.
“Seeing the way people have come together to follow COVID guidelines and social distance has been wonderful and so inspiring to see,” Boozer said.
Boozer said one thing she’s struggled with during the pandemic has been the no-audience policy for performances.
“I could understand if it was maybe people who don’t go here,” Boozer said. “But the fact that it’s students who we walk by and see on campus every day, I just don’t understand.”
Boozer said the burnout she’s felt has been really difficult to push through.
“The other stuff is really stressful. It is. But normally, seeing an audience and feeling that excitement of people who are in the audience for me, I love it. It makes it all worth it. Now, I have to remind myself why I love music,” Boozer said.
Boozer said she believes next year this will be different and the university will allow an audience.
Caitlyn Nichols, computer science sophomore, said it has been easier for her to have courses online.
“I’m a computer science major, and so most of the work we do is on a computer anyways, and so if anything, I feel as though my academics have been better because of it,” Nichols said.
Nichols said it will be an adjustment to do more in-person classes, but overall, she’s happy that things will be going back to normal.
The university has not made any official announcements about COVID-19 guidelines or safety policies. To read more about officials’ reflections on the ear and thoughts about the future, visit our story here.
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