by Sydney Santos, LiveGirl Marketing Intern, Sacred Heart University ‘20
I have been told that uncertainty is a completely normal feeling for the average 22-year-old to experience. At this age, we should be embracing our last few months of college with our peers and friends and embracing all the last traditions of our university. But the past five days have been filled with more chaos, crying, and questioning than I could have expected to endure. As a college senior who was mentally preparing for graduation, this COVID-19 pandemic has really thrown me for a loop. I have tried writing this for over 6 hours today, but my mood and view on the situation keeps switching, but here is where I am at…
How are we supposed to carry on in a time like this? Not only do I feel like everything is put at a halt right now, but now I have genuine fear about my future. The switch to online schooling is rough, especially when you are someone that needs a structured routine every week. Between no longer having class, dance, my internship, sorority obligations, or campus events all I have is time to think about the jobs that probably won’t hire me in this financial climate. There have been plenty of nights in which my friends and I have sat and around and discussed how we expected how bitter sweet all of our senior ceremonies and goodbyes would be. So, how will I get closure?
As a communications major, I have spent a lot of my time here at SHU studying about the impacts of the media. All news outlets, Universities, celebrities, and government officials have the power and ability to send out a message to mass audiences within seconds. The media is telling us not to panic, and just take precautionary measures about general hygiene and keeping your home clean; yet supermarket shelves are empty and people are indeed panicking. Obviously, it is important to be informed at a time like this, but don’t let the news consume your life or deteriorate your mental health. One major takeaway I have from all my academic marketing, PR, and advertising courses I have taken and can apply to this situation is the importance of messaging and timing.
I’m coping by choosing to look at this pandemic of COVID-19 as a crisis PR plan which can be broken down into these steps:
Anticipate every impactful issue
Build a team and establish roles
Establish a spokesperson
Develop a statement
Act swiftly to minimize the damage
Asses the crisis/situation
Finalize a message
“Post crisis analysis”
So far, we have all had the opportunity to overthink every possible issue that can arise. My university has a team that has each student and faculty member’s best interest in mind. Dr. Petillo has been our main spokesperson, and they have developed a statement and deliver messages to us daily, and are acting as quickly as possible. Right now we are at a pause in which the situation is being assessed and all we can do is wait. Even though it feels like everything is coming to an end, it shouldn’t stop us from focusing on getting our school work done, hanging out with our friends, and still applying for jobs. Even though I have cried a lot about this situation and uncertainty, it is just another part of life that we will all get through.
Before coming to college, everyone had told me that the four years would fly by, so I should not to take a single moment for granted. I am happy to say I have had the most amazing 3.5 years at Sacred Heart University. The past five days, I have taken time to reflect upon my college experience, education, and the friends I have made along the way. It made me realize that once this is all over and we can move on, and live life by savoring each moment. As a senior, I never thought this would be how my college career would come to an end. My last dance recital, my last formal, the list goes on really- it was all taken away without any warning. Who knew walking through the halls between class and waving at your friends could be something we take for granted?
So, will everything turn back to normal, and will I be able to sit in a classroom one last time come April? Probably not, but we have to stay positive and take it day by day. This is just another example of how uncertain everyday life and why we should live with no expectations. I planned on coping by staying motivated and doing homework and hanging out with my roommates and friends that are still here around school. But now my form of coping is really staying off social media, binge watching Netflix, praying, and doing my homework. After all, that’s all I have in my control.
