Lesley Brey
Reporter
As 2021 begins, hopes are high for Idaho State University students in regards to their personal, academic and work lives,especially after the events of 2020. After making it through the Fall 2020 semester,it is no surprise that students are on edge about what is going to happen in the new year.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ISU had to implement varying health and safety precautions to limit the transmission of the virus. Many students are choosing to do what they can to stay healthy during this time.
As students transition from the chaos that was 2020, they are being presented with new challenges that many students across the country are also considering. With a vaccine being administered, most students are hoping that we can begin to resemble a “normal” life; one without COVID reigning supreme over every aspect of our lives. With this comes ideas of campus life booming once more. In fact,students are hopeful that we will be able to see bits and pieces of life pre-COVID making an appearance once more.
“I foresee involvement throughout the campus going up because students, such as me, miss being able to easily meet new people and have fun,” commented Lauren Tully on implementing the vaccine. Similarly, Rylee Carter misses interacting with students, and is hoping for an “end to COVID with the release of the vaccine and more knowledge about COVID.
”Campus life seems to be the main aspect of college that students at ISU miss most. Extracurriculars such as sports games, clubs, and recreational activities are key aspects of many students’ lives.
“I expect things won’t change too much at the beginning of the year with COVID. So I expect my schooling to go about the same as well as work. And doing my part in the matter,” Sadie Morrell stated. This year, Morrell wants to put more attention into improving herself and wants to do so by involving herself more in her program at school, with COVID regulations applying of course.
ISU student and football player, Mason Harwood, mentioned that he is looking forward to the upcoming football season.“I’m trying to stay optimistic and hope that COVID will be a thing of the past but if it’s not, just have to adapt,” said Harwood.
As a student body, students at ISU have adapted to the guidelines that had to be implemented going into this school year. With how much students’ lives have changed from the pandemic, it is to be expected that students would be concerned about COVID cases and the vaccine, and exactly what they mean upon beginning the spring semester.
“I hope the COVID vaccination is to be given on a wide scale. I hope and look forward to success in school and for good relationships,” said Emma Wilkes. Keeping a pragmatic mindset for the new year, Wilkes feels that 2021 will be a much calmer year after adjusting to the vaccine. She feels that some of the newer adjustments to learning will remain the same as we enter 2021, like switching to almost completely online learning for students.
Despite the optimism regarding the new year, it is safe to say that there really is not much that anyone is hoping to be included this year from 2020. After all,with the number of major events that unfolded continuously, students could use a breath of fresh air in the new year. However, people are still looking towards the potential positivity and change that we desperately need.
“I think as the ‘rona (hopefully)settles down and people aren’t scared of transmitting the virus, people won’t take things for granted like we have in the past,” continued Tully. Similarly, Carter is looking forward to a fresh start from2020 and the possibility of starting to see life return to a new normal as more people take the COVID vaccine.
Entering the new year will, hopefully, be a fresh start at welcoming the opportunity for a more normal life. After COVID, it is safe to say that all affected by it, and everyone definitely wants to see positive changes take the place of the negativity that 2020 brought.
