5 Ways to Tackle College Students Breaking Covid Rules
Are you in a place where none - or almost none - of your daily ways of living would work? The answer would apply to a faraway destination, off the beaten track in Hawaii. There was no habit you could call on. You wondered if it would be freedom, as it could describe your situation during the last six months or so. This made you angry at college students breaking Covid rules, and a few happened to be your friends. Take a deep breath first. And then think of how to tackle it.
Covid restrictions have left you feeling torn between friends and staying safe. And this lockdown loneliness would make you critical of other students. You sensed it after your roomie was disappointed at "Wonder Woman 1984". (You don't have a clue about director Patty Jenkins's treatment of Barbara Minerva, who turned out to be Diana Prince's nemesis. And you don't understand the significance behind the Legion of Doom. It's not related to Donald Trump and his minions, though.) You're glad that the pandemic didn't make its mark on your relationship with your pals. (No one made fun of SNL's Joe Biden getting a new face after Jim Carrey's departure.) You may be concerned about your buddies, but think again. Are your concerns justified? If they don't care, you might be offended. (And you won't prepare them a holiday dessert that your mother taught you last week.) How to deal with friends - and other college students - who happened to have different Covid-related boundaries?
How to Live Now: Understand Your Feelings First
Distract yourself. You have strong feelings about following the safety protocol, and it doesn't have to do with you coming from a blue state. It would be wise to let distractions help you forget about it. You have forgotten your coursemate's great news about Rick Riordan's collaboration with Disney+. No one would talk about Chris Columbus's adaptation of "The Lightning Thief" and "The Sea of Monsters" anymore. (Someone can't get over it, but you don't recall the face of that student in the hall.) It's important to address your concern in a polite manner, so this is about avoiding the unpleasantness that you might regret later. Furthermore, you miss the embarrassing, frustrating, and weird parts of student gatherings.
Foster a realistic approach when addressing disagreement. Politics could be the reason behind differences in Covid-related boundaries. It's a good thing that you keep your cool after a student, from another department, posting a silly comment on Biden receiving the Covid vaccine. Different cities, different rules. (And it also applies to two universities located in the same city.) If you read a silly comment, if not an offhand remark (on social media), don't judge that student. Don't make assumptions. You can reply to it, asking for an explanation. It might bring you more disappointment, though. Ignore it, as their opinion may change after Easter.
Show some empathy. You don't want to be called a hypocrite, yet you struggle to suppress your disapproval at a friend who claimed to attend a "small gathering" last Christmas. He might be lonely (after he find out that he can't join his family on Christmas Eve). You read too many classics, which should have helped you in looking at the good side of people. Then again, you might be one of those teenagers who wasn't thrilled at the sight of several inches of snow (in front of your home). You've been keeping those feelings to yourself, so you need to release it. Watch the final episode of "His Dark Materials", as the writers might bring back John Parry next season.
Don't take it personally. You have disagreements with your parents in the past - and your sibling as well. You have a disagreement with your best friend, which you can't recall when and where. It should make you think twice about other students, yet Covid rules would be different. It might affect you. (You're worried about the new coronavirus strain, wondering if the vaccine would respond to it or not.) You don't have to wait for Biden's inauguration (and launch your tirades). Do your thing. Keep a safe distance. Look at the bright side (of life).
Plan for the (near) future. The vaccine means that a post-Covid world will happen next year. You can call your friends for a Zoom meeting and talk about the first thing to do. You can watch "Black Widow" in a theater near the university. (You were over the moon after Kevin Feige announced the inclusion of "The Fantastic Four" in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.) It can also be a post-Covid celebration party. (But no alcohol.) And you can start thinking about that summer getaway. (If you haven't been to sunny Florida, then next year might be your best chance.) You've been in quarantine for these past months, so your buddies won't doubt your relief and excitement. Make sure to ask around (and if it's OK not to wear a mask).
Over So Soon?
Some people are worried about the possible return to a somewhat normal-ish life sometime in 2021. It's not hard to imagine why. (Remote work turned out to be better for some people.) It's not the case with college students, as socialization is as important as the coursework. But don't think about it. Yet. The recent snowstorm should have taught you to prepare a winter emergency kit. (Blanket? Check. Mitten? Check. Socks? Check.) The cold weather should set you up on bingeing on books and TV. It would help you write your essays in the shortest time. If you don't want to revisit the classics, then relive Jacob Portman's adventures (along with the other peculiar children). Caul is coming. Soon.
