Looking Back: Hamilton’s Response to COVID-19

My department taught in person (lab science is so much better in person where we have access to our microscopes, specimens, maps, charts...) Of course, we were only able to do this because of the excellent protocol set up by the college –   masks, social distancing, special filters on the air handling system, and twice a week COVID testing. So proud of our students - all doing what they could to make this work and there was no whining about the Saturday classes and lab!

… This fall has been a time for returning to basics, resetting, and thinking about which academic priorities ought to shape my pursuit of tenure and future life as a scholar … In short, fall’s teaching presented an opportunity to focus on the essentials of my field, and those key debates I aim to speak to across a long scholarly career. In our frenetic world, this chance to slow down … and think through issues of identity and argument has been a godsend. I’m quite proud of what has been accomplished in this uncertain time. I continue to think myself exceedingly lucky to be part of such a supportive intellectual community!

On a personal level, I’ve learned that spending time with myself is important — whether working out, walking, reading, or listening to music, I've grown able to enjoy my own company more. Broadly, I've been able to recognize how much everyone depends on essential workers who aren’t compensated enough for their contributions to society.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how productivity doesn’t equal value. I’ve learned that it’s okay to do nothing for hours, to not finish all the tasks I need to do in a day, and instead watch the entire first season of a really good show. I’ve also come to appreciate the quiet moments when I’m by myself and have nothing to do. As a student, I get caught up in being in motion all the time and this pandemic has reminded me that my value comes from myself, my friends, my family, and not solely from academic achievements.

Make sure to find time to take care of yourself. With the additional stress of navigating online learning and living during a pandemic, students are feeling especially burnt out. … Try to set aside some time every day to step away from your work or the news. Your body and mind need the time off to rest, so try to do things that make you happy. Being well-rested is one of the most important steps to being the best student you can be.

One of the things I’ve learned is to be adaptable and look for the bright side of whatever situation you’re in. Although I’ve mourned the loss of off-campus hikes, the Clinton Arts Festival and the Cider Mill, I’ve learned to lean into the activities and opportunities that are available. For me, this meant doing more biking, skiing and rock climbing, and I’ve really been enjoying learning new things. Try your best to work with what you have. The places, opportunities, and people around you always have something to help you out, you just have to be willing to look. 

Despite the topsy-turvy nature of simul-teaching zoom-inclusive courses, I have felt like the quintessence of my courses has not only been maintained, but, perhaps, enhanced. In part this is because both me and my students have been able to focus first on the learning objectives and the pith of the course. I am buoyed by the students’ finding meaning in interacting with our local community to conduct a climate risk assessment, in creatively navigating real world dilemmas of the science-policy interface, and by their continued joy of learning and discovery.

I've learned how to really buckle down and focus on work. All the pandemic-related stress can quickly become overwhelming and being able to push it aside at least briefly is the only way to keep yourself going. This has certainly not been easy, but I've found it to be necessary.

I am so thankful that we have been able to remain on campus. I knew that the most important thing to (Orchestra students) was to be able to play in person, however possible. That has meant face masks with mouthpiece slits, bell covers, puppy pads for the brass, and sitting so far spread out that it's really hard to hear one another on stage – and the music PPE does affect how the instruments play, making some notes go badly out of tune. And it's a definite drag to play a wind instrument wearing a mask! Yet, still they want to be there playing.

… given all of the challenges of the semester, I felt professors were sometimes overlooked by students but I know that an equal amount of change and adjusting was asked of professors. I just wanted to say thank you again for everything you did and will continue to do for your students! 

At risk of sounding cheesy, I learned just how important it is to maintain contact with your loved ones and check up on them, even if you don’t have anything to say. I also learned how much I value the everyday interactions I have, like running into friends around town or having quick chats with past professors. Finally, I would tell a college student 30 years down the road that despite immense challenges caused by the pandemic – loss of life, the isolation, the changes to integral parts of our lives – we have found new solutions and persisted.

The most valuable lesson I gained from being a student during the pandemic is the necessity of taking time for yourself and prioritizing mental wellbeing. Everyone is experiencing the pandemic in their own way, but the bottom line is, everyone is experiencing pandemic-induced stress in some form or another …Take the time you need to maintain your mental health — surviving a pandemic is hard enough without worrying about paper deadlines and exams!

I have learned a lot about sacrifice this year, as prioritizing the health and lives of others is much more important than going out. I don’t think I ever realized how fast the world could change, and I think that even more change will be coming in future years. Flexibility and gratefulness have been essential. It is uncertain what the future will look like, so you have to live in the moment and just keep moving forward.

As a college student, enduring the COVID-19 pandemic for a full year has taught us all how to pull together as a community and make the best out of a less than ideal situation. It’s important to try and savor any time you get at college during a normal year because you never know when or how your experience might be disrupted, and you always have to be ready to adapt to new situations.

We became a kind of community in adversity, taking comfort in each other’s presence in the regular ritual of classes. The act of attending classes represented order, stability, tradition, norms … in the face of uncertainty. I feel, and I think the students shared, a genuine sense of gratitude to the College for making it possible for us to continue to meet face to face.  In an odd way, we functioned as a more cohesive learning community than in the pre-pandemic world.

We are both weaker and stronger than we think. The pandemic disrupted so many things in our lives, including education, socialization, and careers; however, we are collectively finding a solution whether it is Zoom classes, events, and remote internships.

I’ve learned how utterly unpredictable life is and, what comes with that, I have learned the importance of being flexible and keeping my options open. I’ve also come to appreciate life’s little pleasures that I used to take for granted, such as going to Target without feeling unsafe, or enjoying happenstance interactions with friends at work.