Written by Caisi Calandra, Opinion Editor
The last few weeks have been eventful, that’s for sure. Or I guess you could say uneventful — depends on how you look at it.
I’d planned to have one of my most stressful semesters yet, running around to complete projects and trying to balance that out with fun. I was at my wit’s end when we got the email that we were all going home, and, even then, I wanted to know when we’d be back. I’d gotten approved for several projects at nursing homes, but those were cut once we left (and once coronavirus became a very real threat).
I think I was in a state of shock the first two weeks we were back. I had high hopes that things would turn around for the better, but as time went on, I became more and more aware of just what was going on. That being said, I hunkered down and realized I’d have, unexpectedly, a whole lot of alone time.
And so I began to reminisce about my experience at RC.
When I came to RC my freshman year, I was very much a loner. I was introverted, hyper-focused on my studies, and I didn’t want to go to social events (read: parties) because I was woefully shy. But as time went on, I purposefully put myself in situations in which I’d have to make friends. I was painfully aware that if I didn’t start putting myself out there, I’d waste my college experience.
I know everyone’s college experiences are different, but I wanted what I could take. Or, well, give to myself. I’d texted some girls my junior year that I wanted to hang out, and I went to a party with them that night. They became close friends with me, and because they were extremely social and involved in a lot at school, I inadvertently got involved with a lot as well. (One of the clubs being the Brackety-Ack!!)
Even when the majority of my friends graduated my junior year, I kept stumbling upon new people, new friends, new opportunities. I always thought it was surprising because I’d started out so shy and so quiet and so terrified of being out there. But my years at RC treated me well.
I could go on and on and on about my experiences at RC, and I could wax poetic about my countless inebriated nights, or all the moments I felt like belonged in some corny coming-of-age movie. But I was truly blessed to have had my college experience at RC, and I was lucky to have crossed the lives of so many people — I can only hope our threads cross again.
Stay healthy! Love you, Maroons!
