42 | FEBRUARY 10 • 2022
T
his past semester, and year, has
been unconventional to say the very
least. At the start of the fall 2021
semester, I expressed my excitement and
anticipation to return to a semi-normal
college experience at Wayne
State University, with a fresh
appreciation for the little
moments in life that make
days so sweet. Now that I am
beginning a new semester yet
again, I thought it prudent
to check in with myself and
reflect on the ups and downs,
achievements and tribulations, and emo-
tions of the last semester.
This past semester was unlike anything
I had experienced before. At the beginning
of the fall semester, I looked forward to my
return to campus, to spending time with
my fellow students in the Hillel Lounge,
studying in the library and simply walking
to and from on campus.
I was well aware of the multiple safety
precautions implemented by Wayne State
in order to keep the student populace safe
from the still raging pandemic. Masks were
and still are required in all indoor on-cam-
pus buildings, and a vaccine mandate was
implemented to ensure that students would
be well protected from contagion. Because
of these precautions, I was optimistic,
knowing I could safely revel in the little
moments I had missed so much.
Initially, all went well according to this
hopeful plan! I was greatly enjoying my
newfound freedoms and opportunities on
campus. My journey toward increased inde-
pendence, which had stalled when I abrupt-
ly had to move home my freshman year of
college, began again. I was mindful of the
public health protections implemented by
wearing my mask whenever I was indoors
and ensuring that all Jewish Student
Organization (JSO) events my board and I
organized over the course of the semester
followed the proper safety guidelines. When
I could, I got my COVID vaccine booster
shot.
However, nothing could compare to the
feeling of walking into a classroom, sitting
down at a desk, and taking notes during an
in-person class for the first time in a year
and a half. It suddenly felt like such a priv-
ilege to be able to ask my professor ques-
tions without the barrier of a Zoom screen
and to listen to the boisterous discussions
generated by my peers without the ambient
buzz of a computer speaker. This was the
moment I savored most, the ability to just
participate in an in-person class, and forge
new friendships and relationships with my
classmates and professors. It is something I
will never again take for granted in my final
two semesters at Wayne State.
Loren Safta
jewish@edu
writer
for college students
by college students
An Unconventional
Semester in Review
COVID challenges cultivate resiliency and adaptability.
COURTESY OF WSU
Wayne State
Medical students
gather for brunch.
Wayne State
Jewish Student
Organization
at their virtual
Chanukkah party
December 2021.
COURTESY OF WSU