The 2020-2021 school year has been a unique chapter in my UC journey and a strong period of personal growth. First of all, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world on its head about a year ago. I was hoping to have a somewhat “normal” school year, but both the fall and spring semesters ended up looking pretty different from what I expected. During the fall, I completed my first co-op rotation in Cleveland, OH. This was the first time I’d lived truly independently, which was a huge learning experience and more challenging than I anticipated. This spring, I moved back home with my parents and older sister in Cincinnati while attending classes remotely—the total opposite of working full time in another city. In addition to my own unique situation, the semester seemed to be defined by a continuous stream of sensational world news; some great and others terrible. The unusual circumstances of this year gave me a great opportunity to reflect on myself and how I want to improve as a person—I learned so much through learning to live in another city, navigating the social atmosphere of a pandemic, and completing a semester remotely. This year, the way in which I grew most was learning the importance of self-care.

 

Moving to Cleveland for co-op was a big step, and ultimately, prioritizing self-care helped me stay afloat while I was there. As I was getting settled in my new apartment, I was struck by how disconnected I felt from my friends, family, and the UC community back home in Cincinnati. On top of the usual feeling of loneliness when moving was the fact that, because of the pandemic, my social interaction in Cleveland was limited. Luckily, a few other co-ops lived in my same apartment building, most of them from UC as well. This was my first lesson in self-care: lean into new friendships. All of the co-ops that I lived and worked with were in the same situation, being far from home and in an unfamiliar place. We  spent time together regularly throughout the semester, trying new restaurants and exploring Cleveland’s beaches, parks, and markets. Even though many of us parted ways after only a semester, these co-ops are now some of my closest friends. Spending time with them during the fall semester helped me manage the stress of a full-time job and remain focused, healthy, and happy. I also learned that a good way to manage my own feelings of loneliness and disconnection was to help myself by helping others. I was able to stay somewhat tied into the UHP even while working away by serving as a Honors Retreat Leader. This unique experience was a good opportunity to connect with others facing similar feelings of uncertainty as they began their careers as Bearcats. Once back home for the spring semester, I put these self-care skills to use: because I couldn’t see my friends on campus every day, I had to rely on the community of my HIST 3197 honors seminar even more. As a result, the “Uncomfortable Truths” class was a highlight of my year and a great learning experience. I also became involved in the Student Alumni Council, which focuses on connecting and improving the experiences of current UC students and Bearcat alumni across the globe.

 

Despite their challenges, the past two semesters have played a huge role in my development as a person. I grew in my independence, confronted mental health challenges, and learned the importance of self-care. I’m far from the end of my time as a UC student, and I am sure that I will put these skills to good use navigating the challenging years ahead.

​

​

​