A Senior Perspective on a Global Pandemic

Typically, a college student’s senior year is portrayed as a happy time where students are finishing off classes and beginning to look for a career. However, things may look a little different this year due to COVID-19. 

Seniors are concerned with a number of issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the largest factors affecting everyone is the move to online classes. 

Rowyn Hope, a senior political science major, discussed her experience with online classes. 

“Most of my classes are online this year,” Hope said. “I have the option to go into an actual classroom for one of my classes, but I have not taken that option because I feel safer and more comfortable taking it online.” 

Hope has been taking her classes from her house, but some seniors are still on campus. 

Cornell Grigsby, a senior communications major, currently resides in Westmoreland Hall and also takes the majority of his classes online. 

“It’s a huge leap from the typical classrooms that we’re in,” Grigsby said. “All of a sudden, we’re just all cooped up in our rooms staring at a computer screen for a large majority of the day.” 

With online classes being the main source of students’ education, there is a concern that the learning outcomes are different than a normal class. 

“I feel very passive in my classes,” Hope said. “Despite feeling more comfortable, I feel as if I am not absorbing as much information.” 

In addition, there is also a general concern of whether or not campus is safe for students. With other colleges surging in cases across the country, there is a fear Pitt-Greensburg could be next. 

“I feel like students should not be here,” Grigsby said. “Most of the people I know have classes online. We could easily just move back home. I feel the purpose of having the students come back here is just for financial purposes.” 

Not only has COVID-19 affected how students learn in schools, but it may also affect how graduating seniors acquire jobs out of school. While some majors are not seriously affected, others are impacted heavily from not being able to meet in-person.  

“Most of the jobs in communications involve being on site,” Grigsby said. “I feel like it’s going to be very difficult to actually plan a position that not only pays well, but is also satisfying to me.”