There is 1 wallflower among us

 

        Everyone knew the Fall 2020 semester would be unlike any other. No matter what academic institution you attend or where you are situated (on vs. off-campus), college life was never going to be the same. This hasn't stopped some students from partying but for the rest of us taking this pandemic seriously, there is no way you could hang out with friends normally. Even with masks and social distancing, what is there to do besides taking the nth leisurely stroll through the park? Clubs and orgs are forced to meet over Zoom and major school events are livestreamed. Many students are inevitably left feeling isolated and lonely. As for me weirdly enough, I've never been more active and social.

    To clarify, what's considered 'social' to me is nowhere near the definition of 'social' for, say, any socially competent person. Since freshman year, I've been... disconnected from my college community. This might even be an understatement, considering I didn't attend one club meeting last semester. I've hung out with my middle and high school friends in Boston more than I have with classmates. None of my friends go to college here! They'll just visit for a weekend and it'll be the most exciting thing to happen to me for months!

    Look, the one and only thing I want to do after class is relax in my room. The promise of returning to a space I can call my own will always be tempting. I don't want to leave my personal bubble to go and participate in icebreakers. There is nothing I could say that would leave people wanting to know more. Now though, I have the best of both worlds. I can stay put without feeling guilty about being a total shut-in. On Zoom, I may just be a mute purple C, but it's still me. In fact, without my anxiety holding me back, it might be the most accurate representation of me I would otherwise show to a group of strangers.

    Joining random Zoom meetings shared around campus to play Kahoot!, skribbl, Codenames, Jackbox Games, and Among Us has been quite the experience. It feeds into my competitive nature and I never have to say a word. (That's the best part.) I may not see nor interact with these people ever again but for an hour or so, we share laughs. We share tears. And most importantly, we share links.