University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

Page 23 text:

a letter from home COVID-19 and its accompanying complications led to a rather unprecedented fall semester. With many courses online, some students chose to stay home. These students' semesters were unconventional compared to previous ones as they navigated online classrooms. Zoom rush experiences, and virtual club meetings. Adjusting was not easy, but these Gators tackled the challenge with grace and made the most out of the strange semester. Fernanda Altamarino. second-year undergraduate student, felt like her summer vacation was extended. 'It's very weird not being on campus.' Altamarino said. 'I miss seeing my friends on my walks around campus and noticing the temperature change as the semester would end' Sydney Starling, first-year undergraduate student, wished she had the opportunity to attend home football games. 'One thing that I feel I am missing out on is Saturdays in the Swamp. I feel that if I was in Gainesville, then the majority of my Saturdays would take place watching football games with friends in the stadium.' Starling said. Campus life was definitely missed, but students understood the need for safety measures and made the most out of their time at home. Rayon Uddin, second-year undergraduate student, managed to stay involved while being away from campus during the fall. 'Despite the pandemic. I've still managed to get involved in varying organizations at UF and in the broader Gainesville community.' Uddin said. This semester I've continued my involvement as an undergraduate researcher at UF Health, a volunteer at Rahma Mercy Clinic, the secretary for Junia Pediatrics and a member of the school's neuroscience and psychology clubs. Meetings take place remotely through Zoom and it has been very successful, all things considered. There were a couple of other research labs I was accepted to this semester, but they required in-person attendance, so I'll have to wait until next semester to join.' Other students, like Riley Hackworth. first-year undergraduate student, felt they missed out on the opportunity to get involved on campus during their first semester. Hackworth said. 'I have not been able to stay as active as I would have liked to in other clubs on campus because of COVID-19 restrictions.' Students utilized a variety of methods to stay safe and enjoy each other's company. Hackworth managed to meet new people and become involved through the wakeboarding club. 'I joined the UF wakeboarding club and have been driving to meet some of the members at various places to go wakeboarding.' Hackworth said. In the face of many adjustments, students that stayed home during the fall semester still enjoyed their time away and were ready to come back when the time was right. Starling said, 'I know that my time to be on campus will come in the future, but I view it as a blessing that I could be home and learn from a distance during the fall semester. Writing by Modlion Malone and Caltlln Fitzgerald Photography by Emma Troyor