With most everyone moving off of Pacific’s campus during Spring Break, a lot of students have had to move back in with their parents or families. Sometimes this can cause tension or be a struggle, especially if families don’t understand the stress put onto students during this time.
Sophomore Ethan Hunter was excited for an extra week of vacation, until realizing no one was going to be able to return to Pacific for at least the rest of the semester.
“After I realized I couldn’t come back and had to go pack up my things, I felt depressed,” Hunter said. Hunter spent over 22 hours on schoolwork just the other week and his family doesn’t understand that he can’t spend time with them constantly.
“If I do, I’ll fail my classes,” he said.
Freshman Jillian Lamb expressed similar sentiments. “I was initially excited to be home but now I wish I was back,” she said. Lamb is also worried that her parents will experience the same sense of loss of her leaving for Freshman year all over again in the fall.
Living at home again has also greatly affected the amount of freedom students have. Freshman Breanna Hernandez feels like she has to ask their parents for permission when making plans, going to get groceries, or even going outside to get the mail. Even though restrictions in Texas are being lifted for Hernandez, she’s scared about the impact that could have.
“I think it’ll probably get worse and we’ll get hit with a second influx of cases,” Hernadez said.
Students said they also miss the interaction with peers, friends, and professors as they’re unable to attend in-person classes or go see people. To cope with this loss of contact, they’ve been calling friends, doing movie nights, and doing their best to try to stay in touch with friends, even if they can’t see them face-to-face.
“The only way we’re going to stay sane is if we keep in contact with friends,” Hernandez said.
One of the most important things during quarantine is to take care of yourself. Sophomore Brooklyn France noted the importance of doing something physical every day to get your heart going.
“Make the most out of this situation,” France said. She suggested finding new hobbies and trying to be creative.
Finding the positives in a really negative and uncertain time is important. France is grateful to be able spend more time with her little sister and other siblings since she usually wouldn’t get to see them as much during the school year. It’s also important to realize that you’re not alone and that everyone is struggling during this pandemic.
“You’re not alone,” France said. “Everyone else is in this situation with you too.”
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