Rielly Pulliam
Managing Editor
As the fall semester starts up for Jackson State University students, the senior class is challenged with making the best out of the unexpected circumstances. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced everyone to make some adjustments this year. Spring graduates were given a virtual ceremony and now it looks like the upcoming fall graduates may have to do the same.
Brianna Willis, a senior elementary education major from Hattiesburg, Miss. was saddened when she found out most classes would be virtual her last semester at Jackson State.
“I was really upset when I found out we would mostly be virtual because of the pandemic. Even though this is something out of our control, it still hurts because this is my last semester and I can’t do anything fun,” said Willis. “I’m just trying to make the best out of the situation because there’s really nothing else I can do. I hope all of my fellow classmates are able to remain positive through these challenging times.”
This semester is especially challenging to seniors who are used to having in-person classes and now have to transition to online learning. While some colleges are offering both in-person and online courses, others have made all of their courses virtual. This has proven to be challenging for students new to virtual learning.
Gabriel Smith, a senior biology/pre-medicine major from Atlanta, Ga., believes online courses will be the biggest difficulty for students this semester.
“I think the biggest obstacle this semester is going to be adjusting to virtual learning. I know people who have gone through four years of college and never taken an online course,” said Smith. “For the students that are hands-on learners like myself, this semester is going to be extremely difficult because you are mostly relying on yourself for help. I just hope all of my fellow classmates are able to adjust and avoid being set back from graduating.”
Jackson State students were given the option to move back on campus this semester or take online courses from home. Those who moved back on campus have had to follow strict guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff. Masks are mandatory in every building and campus police have been checking the temperature of everyone coming on campus. They also recently started to enforce a curfew for visitors on campus.
While the circumstances have affected some senior’s ability to learn, for others it has affected their attitude and energy.
Justin Cooke, a senior accounting major from Dallas, Texas has found himself lacking in motivation this semester.
“The circumstances have definitely affected me differently than I thought they would. Virtual learning makes me feel like I’m not even in school and forget that I have real work to do. I think I’m just bummed because we worked so hard for all these years and now we can’t even have one last homecoming,” said Cooke. “I’m trying to build my motivation and energy back up but it’s hard when this semester feels so negative.”
The pandemic has forced students to adjust to different situations just like they will have to in the real world. Though this semester hasn’t been what seniors were expecting, there are still some who remain positive through it all.
Danielle Stevens, a senior business administration major from Flowood, Miss., has been looking at the positive factors of the situation.
“I have just had to keep a positive attitude throughout all of this madness. Once I accepted that everything was out of our hands, I decided I didn’t want to sit around and pout the whole semester. At the end of the day, I’m still going to get my degree,” said Stevens. “If I could give any advice to my classmates it would be to only have positive energy around you and to make the best out of the situation. College is still what you make it so if you just complain all day about things not going your way then you’re going to have a hard time this semester.”
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