Just three weeks ago, which feels like a lifetime, I was sitting at the desk in my dorm room stressed and studying for an upcoming exam. Now, I’m sitting on my bed trying to write about how I’m doing, and I’m at a loss. Three weeks ago, I never would have expected to be locked in my house twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. Well, maybe twenty-three because I like to take walks (don’t worry I practiced social distancing) or drive down by the beach. But, here we are.

I think one of the things I feel most is fear. It is a scary time in the world right now; most people throughout the world have never lived through a pandemic or anything comparable to it. This is terrifying to me. I know that at my age, I am not in as much danger as others if I were to contract the virus, but many of the people I love are. My dad and my grandma both have rheumatoid arthritis which makes them highly immunocompromised and much more susceptible to getting sick. It also means that their immune system would have a much harder time combating illness. Even though most people are socially distancing and quarantining, there are others who aren’t which contributes to the spread of the virus. I am scared of what the future holds.

I am incredibly thankful that my family is together and safe. There is a definite emphasis on together though. With all six of us under one roof, all day every day, my house can get a little crazy. Even though I would love to be back on campus with the freedom to do the things I want and a busy schedule, there is a part of me that is glad to be home. I am also excited that classes started this week because I really needed something productive to do besides watch Netflix and do puzzles. One of the few things that has helped calm my thoughts is knowing that the entire world is going to get through this together.

Sydney Rubin