Winter 2022: Campus in Quarantine

1.4.22

It’s January 4th, 2022, the second day of winter quarter. Even though we’ve technically started, the campus feels more dead than alive. Maybe it’s the bare trees, the gray skies, the constantly unconstant drizzle of rain, or the fact that all of us are online due to Omnicron this week. Nearly every building I go into is empty. Not that I’m complaining, it’s nice to get seats by the fire for once. This weather and strange silence on campus makes me look forward to spring a lot more. The sunshine makes people want to go outside, and we’ll enjoy picnics in the Quad and outdoor clubs and sports.

But for the meantime, this is the moment I’m in. I had my first full day of classes today. This quarter, I’m taking four classes:

1. Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (Educ 251)

2. Arabic 102

3. Gender, Diplomacy, and Human Rights (Honors 251)

4. Intro to Contemporary Dance

Now that I’ve been exposed to all of them, I think I have a better picture of what this quarter will look like. Overall, it looks like it will be challenging, but in a good way. Especially my Gender, Diplomacy, and Human Rights class— it will train me in skills of reading large amounts, while exposing me to content, such as Diplomacy, that I’m really interested in.

To be honest, this is the class I’m worried the most about. I’m worried I’ll fall behind on the readings and the forum posts. Last night I was barely able to complete one reading in four hours.

However, we talked about reading strategies in my three hour class today. My professor told us that we can build up the skills to be able to find the central argument and main purpose of the piece in 15 minutes. I couldn’t believe it when she said that— is it even possible to have a sufficient understanding of a hundred pages worth of reading in just 15 minutes? I know I have my doubts, but she has a lot of experience with these skills, and so it’s worth a shot.

My Educ 251 class is the class that I immediately felt a sense of peace in when I watched the first introductory video. I thought, ok, this is where I want to be. I’m so glad I got accepted into this course. The class seems to be centered around holistic learning, and the concepts we will study are already fascinating.

Of course, Arabic 102 is the class I start my day out with. It’s a continuation of Arabic 101, which I began last quarter. While I admit some vocabulary slipped out of my mind during the break, I also am bringing in new vocabulary from some hours on Duolingo (yes, I’m one of those people). But the class is so much more engaging for me than language learning apps because we practice speaking in groups, and build on homework that we prepare before coming to class.

Lastly, I have my Intro to Contemporary Dance class. I’m excited to put some movement in my schedule. I’ve been wanting to take dance classes for a very long time. This beginner-level course seems like the perfect place for me right now. I’m not always comfortable with moving my body, and I want to be challenged to do it in a communal space. Dance is a great way to grow in self confidence, and it’s a beautiful form of expression.

These are the thoughts whirling around my head as I enter this first quarter. It’s unknown and scary at the moment, but I think I’m in the right place.