It is no question the distress of the COVID-19 pandemic has been quite unfavorable to our regular way of living, no matter the role we play in society. As a student athlete at St. Cloud State University, my experience has been an anxious blend of challenging lows and uncomplicated standstills. As a person with attention deficit disorder who prefers physical lectures over technology-based methods, one major struggle for me has been the transition into courses that are completely online. This began as a call for concern but has gradually become less difficult to grow accustomed to. I can owe this easy familiarization process to my SCSU professors, who have been very understanding and helpful along the way.

I am also a student athlete who is on the SCSU tennis team, which has been the biggest obstacle regarding the pandemic so far. With restrictions on flying to avoid putting entire teams at risk, I am unable to visit my sisters in the near future for holidays, Air Force promotion ceremonies, or any other substantial reason that may arise. As someone with asthma, it has also been quite difficult for me to perform at our required workouts to the best of my abilities with restricted breathing underneath a mask. We are strongly advised against pulling them down for air, which completely eliminates the only strategy for me to grasp a full breath, and predominantly takes away the demanded energy for a successful workout. Although there have been obstacles and many other unmentioned changes that are minor to my SCSU athletic lifestyle, my coaches and fellow teammates have also made the transitional process much easier for me to endure.

There haven’t been any drastic changes to my regular lifestyle as a university student, but there have still been a multitude of social, educational, emotional, and health-related challenges I’ve had to conquer as a result of the pandemic, assumingly along with the rest of the student population. While living in a constant state of anxiousness and uncertainty for the future, I am grateful to be a student at SCSU, who has made me feel safe during these times of peculiarity and obscurity.

Thank you for reading,

Samantha Fitzpatrick