Building Community in a Physically Distanced World
Two of the 2020 Head Orientation Counselors share some tips on how they have been handling the isolation that can come with physical distancing and studying remotely.
Kendra A. Adegbesan is a fourth-year, pre-med student from Atlanta, Georgia, studying neurobiology, creative writing and film. Stefanie McMillan is a senior from Ridgefield, Washington, double majoring in material science and engineering and biomedical engineering.
Stefanie’s Advice
This pandemic has provided me an opportunity to find creative ways to engage with friends and family while also having time to reflect. I have to acknowledge the energy boosts that I get from social interactions and seek out creative and safe ways to get these boosts, like calling a friend, finding something new to bake or spending time outdoors.
I've also changed my mindset and been more compassionate towards myself. Some homework assignments take longer than others, the stresses of exams feel heaver and I find myself with a never-ending to-do list. It’s more important than ever to be kind to yourself, to take that much needed break and to utilize your support systems.
My family has been a large part of my support system this semester while I am studying remotely in Pittsburgh and last semester while I was studying at home.
The most helpful way my parents have supported me during this time is by listening.
Their words of encouragement put my struggles into perspective and help me realize that I am never alone.
I have been very impressed this semester with how student organizations have adapted to this virtual environment. CMU has prioritized helping organizations and clubs make a smooth transition to an online format and have implemented strict safety measures to allow for some in-person events when deemed appropriate.
I am a swimmer on the women’s varsity swim team and am so grateful to CMU and our athletic department for prioritizing the safety of our athletes with strict protocols while also allowing us to continue practicing our sport. Even though this season is drastically different than how I envisioned my senior year season, being able to practice with my team and still do the sport that I love has had a profound impact on me.
Other organizations that I am a part of, including the Plaidvocates, Student Athlete Advisory Council and the Society of Women Engineers, have come up with creative ways to keep members engaged while furthering our organization's missions through zoom meetings.
I encourage all students to find a student organization or campus event that would be meaningful to them. This pandemic has shown me how much CMU values involvement in organizations and clubs, and how passionate our leadership is about creating opportunities for students to continue to be engaged members of our community in this difficult time.
Kendra’s Advice
As a fourth-year student with one foot at CMU and the other towards my future, I was looking forward to spending my final semesters in the company of my friends. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has turned this expectation on its head. Almost all of my social plans were put on hold as my peers and I held up our end of A Tartan’s Responsibility.
Knowing the kind of person I am - someone who relishes being able meet up with people informally and loves making the most out of a causal stroll through the Cohon University Center - I knew this would be the hardest part of the hybrid semester. But I’ve learned to combat this social separation withdrawal by being more deliberate in my correspondence with others.
Learning to leave the anxiety of "reaching out" has been my saving grace. When a friend of mine I haven’t seen crosses my mind, I reach out to them through text or a call (or even a random Tik Tok if it serves me) instead of just thinking of spending time in person. I’ve found that thinking of what we’ve lost only leaves us in a place of feeling stuck.
I remind myself that I can still always connect with those I care for most, and it’s even easier in many cases since our plans have freed up so much!
Utilizing online video services as well as multiplayer games have made a larger impact than I initially expected. Interactive experiences such as Among Us, Minecraft and virtual breakout rooms have worked well to keep me connected to my best friends. And when I’m not connecting with others, I’ve used this new independent time to nurture my own interests and internal voice.
