The fall 2021 semester is now in full swing and students are getting used to the unique circumstances surrounding the return to campus.
“I feel good. I was excited to get back to campus and back to the old normal, but then it all came back so fast,” said senior Kuran Shuva.
“I was hoping to finally have the first fully normal semester in almost two years, but then cases came back and everyone started rushing to figure things out,” said senior Jennifer Clough.
During the summer semester, campus relaxed the rules surrounding COVID-19 precautions. However, due to rising concern over the Delta Variant, precautionary health measures were put back in place.
“It’s a bit hard trying to get both used to college life while also keeping in mind everything else,” said freshman Kayleigh Polinick. “I was hoping my first year would miss all of the COVID stuff.”
While some students are struggiling with the return to a school year still effected by COVID-19, some are simply happy to be back at all.
“I wanted to be on campus so bad in the spring and last fall,” said sophomore Taron McLasle. “I always wanted to be on the UW campus, but was unable to because of the really hard pandemic measures. Regardless of the troubles now, I’m just glad to be able to be here.”
“Even if I have to wear a mask, actually being in an in-person class is worth every little trouble,” said Shuva.
Along with concerns still surrounding the pandemic, some students are just trying to get back into the swing of the academic lifestyle here at UW.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve had any usual problems. Masks aren’t really a nuisance for me anymore,” said junior George Ashton. “At this point my bigger concern is procrastinating on my homework.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m in a physical class, but honestly waking up for 8 a.m. lecture is harder for me than the COVID precautions” said sophomore Mary Waketo.
The blending of the new school year and the remainder of the pandemic concerns still bothers some students. However, it seems more are excited to just be back than not.
“I’m ready to keep my nose to the grindstone and finish my school,” said Shuva. “I’m here to wrap up school and enjoy it will doing it. I’m glad I get the chance to be at least somewhat normal this year.”
“There’s no doubt, pandemic or not, I love being back on campus and around my peers and friends,” said Clough.
“I hope we don’t have to leave the dorms like the group last year,” said Polinick. “As long as that doesn’t happen, I think I’ll be just fine.
The start of the new school year represents a time of change of settling here for the University of Wyoming. Regardless, students appear to be looking forward to being back.
