On March 17, 2020, University of New Hampshire students received news that the university would proceed with the remainder of the spring semester virtually due to COVID-19, altering the path of everyone’s college experience. UNH was not alone in this decision, as every other college in the country decided this was the safest way to protect their students while continuing their education.
Because of constant communication from President Dean and the university, we knew this outcome was a possibility. Still, the official announcement was heart-wrenching to hear. The decision required many students to rethink their semesters. For some, this meant setting up a workstation on their kitchen tables; for others, it meant finding a more permanent housing solution. Like the rest of the world, we were trying to navigate the unchartered waters of COVID-19 and didn’t know where to turn. Luckily, students, faculty and staff in the UNH community supported each other, and we were able to get through it together.
I remember receiving this email as I was sitting with my family at dinner and realized how life-changing the pandemic was. I also recognized how lucky I was that I went to a school that prioritized students' health and safety. Though I was nervous about how the rest of the semester (and following semesters) would turn out, I knew that UNH would be able to handle it well.
On March 30th, classes resumed and we were off to the races. Attending classes virtually came with its challenges, but all of my professors were understanding, attentive and adaptive. The revised curriculum accounted for the situation and professors redesigned our classes to best fit a virtual learning environment. For many of us, our classes were one of the few things that remained constant in our routines and they offered a sense of grounding in a time of complete uncertainty. The opportunity to collaborate with peers and professors was appreciated more than ever, and we all found a way to make it work.
When it was announced we would be returning to campus in the fall, I was overjoyed. I knew that this meant restrictions and challenges, but I was eager to be back on campus. I trusted that the university would have the best intentions of community members and students in their reopening plan, and they did. Coming back to Durham reassured me of every factor I had considered when coming to UNH.
Seeing the beautiful campus, being able to support businesses downtown, and safely catching up with friends eased some of the anxiety we had all been feeling. Certainly, life on campus had changed, but there were some positives to come out of the unique situation we were in. For one, dining halls developed faster grab and go options for students. Student organizations still held virtual events, from recruitment for fraternity and sorority life to resident hall socials and club meetings.
I continued to practice my duty of social distancing and mask wearing, and I felt safer than I had in months because of the university’s testing plan. All students were required to be tested twice a week throughout the fall, according to a schedule organized by each individual college. I always received results within a few days and was amazed at how such an elaborate system had been created in only a few months. When in the classroom, we were able to stay a safe distance from others. I was so grateful to have in-person instruction, even if it meant wearing a mask.
As the semester progressed, I became more acclimated to the “new normal” college experience. Some classes remained virtual, others were in person, and some were rotational. The staff and faculty put forth an admirable effort that made continuing education in a pandemic much more manageable. Now at the end of the semester, I recognize how grateful I am to be part of the UNH community. I am optimistic going into the spring semester that UNH will continue to protect its students while still providing a quality education.
Read About Our Response to COVID-19
Learn About Our Campus Safety
