2020 has been the year of the unthinkable for many, with sporting events, social activities, in-person education and more postponed due to COVID-19. As the weather grows colder, Americans are resuming traditional fall activities through digital or socially distanced means.

Shockingly, some students and staff have adjusted to these changes well. Spotlight Studio dancer and sophomore Natalie Waggoner has found changes in her dance studio because of COVID-19, generally preferable.

“I would say that dance has been overall better because of the safety procedures that my studio has taken,” Waggoner said. “The changes have helped me feel more comfortable overall, and honestly these changes haven’t really affected dance too much because we still are able to do everything we used to do.”

For most students and staff, these changes have made them grow fond of the past because many activities have become less enjoyable. In sophomore Magnolia Matzen’s case, her E-Sport nights have been an excellent way to reconnect with friends but can become chaotic due to technological barriers. 

“I feel like I don’t have real friends because now I can be playing with people from China or Japan or somewhere on the other side of the world, and it feels the exact same as playing with my friends because I’m not going to get an awesome friend connection that I had before,” Matzen said.

These changes have been minimal for others, such as Dungeons and Dragons player and sophomore Jerem Condie. He believes that even though students and staff may think they are missing out or getting less out of activities, it teaches an essential lesson of being more appreciative of the time spent planning and executing activities.

“I’m able to have an outlet,” Condie said. “I’ve been cooped up physically and mentally from friends and social interactions, but this has really helped me open up lately.”

The resumption of fall activities has helped students and staff socially and mentally cope with this unplanned year. Restarting fall activities, whether virtually or socially distanced, has taught students and staff the importance of time, dedication and gratitude. Whether students and staff prefer their activities virtually, socially distanced or in-person, students and staff have learned to adjust creatively, socially and physically, to provide their friends and colleagues a fun and safe activity to help them through these difficult times.

“These changes have really put things into perspective,” Condie said.