CSC students adjust to new normal

This Q&A features CSC students Brendan Fangmeier, Ruth Mencia, and April Wagner.

Fangmeier of Hebron, Nebraska, moved back home for the final half of the spring semester. His major is Human Biology.

Q: What are the major changes/challenges you’ve experienced since classes went to remote delivery?

I would say that the major changes I have had to participate in are to practice time management and personal motivation.

Q: What CSC services have been most helpful?

The most helpful CSC resource for me is the class Zoom meetings and the teachers being very willing to help during this difficult time.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you now?

I wake up at 8 a.m. every weekday to start the day. I cook a simple breakfast, and I start studying my classes. At noon, I have an online class for Organic Chemistry. After the class, I usually call one of my greatest friends and we study for our classes and talk for an hour or two. I generally take a break after this before I start to study again until 6 p.m., and then I am done for the day. I usually cook supper for my family or just spend time with friends after the day is done.

Q: Anything you would like to add?

Good luck to all CSC students and staff on the rest of the semester and have a great quarantine-summer.

Mencia of Grand Island, Nebraska, is a Resident Advisor (RA) still living on-campus. Mencia is a Social Work major.

Q: What are the major changes/challenges you’ve experienced since classes went to remote delivery?

The isolation that roams the halls; I am an RA, and I can feel the emptiness within my hall. It’s sad knowing I went from approximately 18 residents down to one living in my hall.

Q: What CSC services have been most helpful?

Definitely the Dining Services – They’re always cheery to see students enter the doors of the cafeteria. As I previously mentioned, there aren’t many chances for interaction and I appreciate their readiness to serve the students with positive, welcoming attitudes.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you now?

Sleep, wake-up, gym, and then homework.

Q: Anything you would like to add?

My advice to anyone else who is struggling with social isolation is to try to take this time to focus on your mental, emotional, and physical health by embracing in positive activities, adopting hobbies, and taking advantage of this time to do what you didn’t have the chance to do before.

Wagner relocated to her hometown of Culbertson, Nebraska, for the final half of the semester. Wagner is majoring in Social Work and minoring in creative writing. She plans to relocate in the next few weeks to begin working at Fort Robinson State Park.

Q: What are the major changes/challenges you’ve experienced since classes went to remote delivery?

A lot of things have changed and challenges have been faced during this time of quarantine. It has been very hard, and I have to be careful to not bring any sickness into the house because my mom has terminal cancer. But this time in quarantine has given me more time to spend with my mom. Classes are a little bit more difficult, but my professors have done a very good job at making things accessible and organized the new online format very well.

Q: What CSC services have been most helpful?

I think that the Project Strive/TRiO services have been very helpful. Sonja Dressel, Project Strive/TRiO counselor, has been very helpful during this strange time. The START Office has helped a lot, as well.

Q: Has there been any kind of silver lining to this situation?

The silver lining I found through all of this is the time I have gotten with my mom. Family is the most important thing to me, and even when time feels slow, it is going by faster than we think.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you now?

A typical day is not so typical anymore. I wake up around 10 a.m., help my mom with some yard work, and then I do homework. After lunch, mom and I usually watch a movie. Last week we watched the Harry Potter series. In the evening, we sit on the front porch and watch the birds and talk. Finally, before bed, I like to go sit in the hot tub and drink a cup of tea. That is what most of my days have looked like for the past couple months.

Q: Anything you’d like to add?

I am definitely ready and excited for the fall semester and to be back at CSC, but I am thankful for the time I have gotten with my mom.