Winter Term 2022

Hello everyone!

It is a new term for a new year! And somehow, we are already almost halfway through. Whew. Still, there is plenty to catch up on, so let’s get to it.

What’s going on with COVID?

If you have been following the news, or, y’know, talked to a fellow human being, then you probably know that we are in the midst of yet another COVID spike. Of course, this wave of the pandemic has seriously affected colleges and universities, and Carleton is no exception. So you might be wondering what the campus environment is like right now, all things considered.

Is there COVID on campus?

Yes. Carleton, like most higher ed institutions, has seen a rise in COVID cases on campus this term. Luckily, our weekly case number seems to be going down, and there is now less anxiety on campus than there was at the beginning of the term.

What precautions is Carleton taking?

Carleton has implemented a number of measures to prevent the spread of COVID. Some main examples:

• We have been alternating between full campus testing and surveillance testing, with rapid tests available for symptomatic individuals and close contacts.
• Large in-person gatherings have been restricted so as to limit the opportunities for indoor exposure.
• Certain activities have also been cancelled temporarily or moved online, though some of these are now starting again considering the drop in cases.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, though it gives an idea of the kinds of steps Carleton is taking to protect students on campus.

Are things… good?

While the beginning of the term was certainly a bit unsettling considering the nationwide COVID situation, Carleton has achieved a sense of normalcy. We have been lucky to be able to keep classes in-person, which certainly helps prevent feelings of isolation. Students have found ways to socialize and engage in campus activities. By this point, many of us have found a way to adjust and settle in for the new term.

And on that note…

Classes!

A much more fun topic, in my opinion.

What am I taking?

This term, I am taking Asian American Literature, Intro to Sociolinguistics, and Adapting Greek Tragedy. I am also taking the two-credit capstone course for the Cross-Cultural Studies minor. This is a pretty perfect schedule for me: I have my beloved English class, a STEM-adjacent class, and a class that I chose just for fun. I love each course so far, and it would be impossible to pick a favorite.

Right now, I have just finished reading Sophocles’ Oedipus and am shifting to Antigone. I’m also in the middle of No-No Boy and am preparing for the first day of discussion tomorrow. Exciting stuff! : )

Midterms?

It is, somehow, that time of the term already. While I have a few papers coming up, they are all short and paced nicely so that the work shouldn’t pile up. Luckily, I have a relatively relaxing midterm period!

A brief note on study abroad…

If you’ve read some of my earlier posts, you might know that I’ve been hoping to study abroad for, like, two years. I had found a wonderful program in Athens, Greece, and was planning to go sophomore year before deferring my acceptance until junior year. Which is now.

Unfortunately, I officially decided to skip the study abroad experience. I spent the majority of the pandemic at home, and felt like I needed to be on campus for the remainder of my time at Carleton. While I’m disappointed that I won’t have a study abroad experience, I am confident in my decision. I love Carleton and am so excited for the time that I’ll have on campus and with friends.

Andriana is a native of Richmond, VA, though her love of snow suggests she might be a northerner at heart. She is in her junior year at Carleton, where she is an English major and a Cross-Cultural Studies minor. When Andriana isn’t busy staying warm in the Minnesotan tundra, you can find her binge-reading, playing music, or watching a favorite movie or show for the umpteenth time. Meet the other bloggers!