HUNTINGTON, IND. (FDN) The whole world is having to adjust to a new normal right now, and Huntington University students are no exception.
Once the news of the school’s campus closure, due to COVID-19 spread, HU students found themselves in a much different life.
Reactions vary over the news of quarantine, but most students felt disappointed and upset.
“I know it’s difficult for people not to go out and visit your friends and do all these things,” said freshman broadcast and film double major Cory Dunivan. “I am a very extroverted person and that’s one thing I’ve been struggling with the most, is not being able to see my friends. But, with a pandemic like it is, you are not only putting yourself in harm’s danger but the people that you come in contact with — your friends, and then when you come back home, your family or somebody else.”
Dunivan also suggests a few things to keep sane at home.
“Try and stay on your normal day to day sleep schedule,” Dunivan said. “Don’t be staying up til, like, four in the morning. Find things that interest you. Go outside!”
If tough love isn’t quite your cup of tea, Erin Quick, a double major studying history and biblical studies, shares a nugget of inspiration.
“You know, God knows what’s happening and He’s present in what’s happening,” Quick said. “As long as you’re, you know, clean, showering, you know, washing your hands, and just kind of doing the six feet apart thing, you should be safe. Like, it’s not, like, some weird virus that’s gonna latch on to you, like, from six feet away.”
Students are not alone in their new normal. Faculty and staff at HU are also working through the effects of the virus and the issues that come along with it.
Brian Farrell, HU’s Equipment Center Supervisor in Becker Hall, shares how he has been adjusting to campus work during this unconventional semester. He says a lot of time at the beginning was spent sanitizing equipment and spaces, but that’s not all that there is to do.
“Jason (Bleijerveld) and I have actually completely torn apart this old storage room and we’re making it a little mini studio and so we’re just waiting on the back drops and it’s actually all completed now,” Farrell said.
Farrell also has a few ideas on how to keep busy while in lock-down.
“You know, I started, like, recording music and playing things, and just kind of getting more creative,” Farrell said. “A lot of us, a lot of Digital Media Arts people are kind of feeling like ‘How can we be creative?’ And it’s actually really easy when you’re inside. I think there are a lot of things you can do and just experiment with. So, I’ve been doing music and some photos here and there and just trying to get some projects done.”
Experts say it’s important to stay active and social, while still practicing social distancing. Though he can’t be physically near his friends, Farrell outlined one activity that helps many stay social.
“Gaming has definitely been top,” explained Farrell. “Like Animal Crossing and playing a lot of Rocket League with my friends.”