What life lessons has COVID taught you?

COVID-19: A Learning Lesson

Syracuse students make the most of the highs and lows of the pandemic.

by WHITNEY WILSON photography by KATIE ZAGER graphics by AMANDA SMITH

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ALEX PINEDO

“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been patience. Of course it’s hard coping with technical difficulties, wearing masks, and the stress of getting sick, but it has only allowed me to have more empathy for my peers. Everyone is individually carrying their own weight and stress, so it’s important to be understanding of people’s actions and behavior.”

JARED DOWLING

“One major life lesson that COVID has taught me is that life can throw serious curveballs in your way, but it’s really up to you and how you deal with it. A lot of people choose to simply give into adversity when it’s presented to them, but having to adjust as a whole world to something so difficult to deal with will make us stronger as individuals going forward. The only reason we’ve made it this far is through a unified effort, so it’s important to rely on others and take the big things one step at a time.”

JULIA PETERKINS

“COVID-19 showed me the way in which certain experiences affect people in drastically different ways. Some people went on tropical vacations, while others struggled to obtain groceries. I’ve always strived to remember we live different lives, but it’s so easy to forget. Between the global pandemic and trauma endured by the Black community this summer, life is not always easy. We never know what lies behind closed doors, so we all need to convey a little more kindness.”

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“One of the biggest life lessons the pandemic has taught me is to appreciate life and all the little blessings I’m given each day. I’ve learned that nothing is guaranteed and that we have to live for the present and appreciate what we have. I’ve learned to look at situations from a positive perspective and count my blessings instead of looking at what could be better. All around, I think COVID has taught me to be a more simplistic and happy person.”

PHOEBE GULLINGSRUD

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“COVID-19 taught me how much I take the simple things in life for granted. During isolation, we had to basically give up our social life, so I discovered new passions and interests that I had no idea I had (yoga, rollerblading, art). Since I spent a lot of time inside, I learned how to not be bored with myself and stay productive.”

SEBASTIAN GONZALEZ

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“Being put in 10-day isolation due to COVID can seem very daunting, especially for a college-aged student. I learned to appreciate this time as I had the opportunity to purely focus on myself. In the end, I could appreciate that although managing mental and physical health in isolation wasn’t easy, it gave me a chance to have that “me time” we all sometimes need.”

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“COVID-19 taught me how to love being alone. Before COVID, life felt extremely fast-paced. From staying in, I began to explore new hobbies and developed a new perspective on independence.”

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“The COVID-19 pandemic has taught me how to be more self-sufficient. It has taught me how to advocate for myself, but most importantly, the pandemic has made me realize the insane amount of privilege I have.”

The Bee’s Knees

A Prohibition Era cocktail that slaps.

article and graphics by AMANDA SMITH photography by KATIE ZAGER

Elegant yet simple, this three ingredient cocktail will quench your thirst on a hot, sunny summer day. While making this drink, the change in colors will be absolutely mesmerizing. Watch as the deep purple transforms into a beautiful pink once the lemon juice is added. In terms of Prohibition era slang, “bee’s knees” translates to “the best.” Served shaken and chilled, add a lemon

Ingredients

• 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin • 0.75 oz honey syrup • 1 oz lemon juice • 1 lemon slice

Instructions

1. Pour the Empress 1908 Gin into a glass. 2. Add the honey syrup to the glass. 3. Add the lemon juice to the glass. 4. Pour contents of the glass into a shaker over ice. Shake well. 5. Pour from the shaken drink back into the glass. 6. Add a lemon slice.

Because not every hookup is heaven sent.

by CHARLIE WENIG graphics by JULIA THACK

Baby Shark Blues

After a year of being in love with a close guy friend, he *finally* invited me over. After he kissed me underneath his McLovin’ poster, I was ready to do just about anything. He was about to, uh...*ahem* *enter me* when suddenly we hear BABY SHARK DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO!! Absolutely BLARING from downstairs. His roommate is not a fan of mine. But I was a woman on a mission. I had been in love with this boy for too long to let Baby Shark stop me. Once the music finally stopped, he looked deep into my eyes and said...”FUN FACT: I’M REALLY BAD AT SEX.” OH???? Blinded by love (AM I OK??) we finally have sex. I think we might get married considering our Baby Shark trauma bond. And then kicked me out of his apartment. As if the situation couldn’t get any worse, I had to go to the emergency gyno after because he moved my IUD. As if breaking my heart wasn’t ~enough~.

Cue the Lights

I was hooking up with a guy in the backseat of his car and the man deadass pulled out his phone flashlight to look for my clit because he “couldn’t find it.” I WISH I were making this up.

Sorry...What’s Your Name Again?

I hooked up with this guy I didn’t really know once and after we were done, he told me he loved me. He didn’t even know my last name.

Cemetery Sally

Beginning of Fall semester, I was talking to this guy who lived in a different dorm than me. Given COVID, we couldn’t meet up in eachothers dorms. So, this genius man proposed that we have sex for the first time together in the cemetery. I was dumb, so I said yes. Fast forward through all the foreplay it’s finally time for him to put it in. And I kid you not this boy was never even inside me. He was literally f*cking my thigh for like 8 minutes. I was making no noise, I wasn’t even trying to fake it, and idk how he didn’t notice. Literally one of the most awkward experiences of my life.

Wilderness Wendy

Second day of freshman year when everyone would crowd outside of the mount, I met a guy and we decided to smoke. We went into the woods on the road down the mount. Two minutes in, we start making out. Lasted for about five minutes because we couldn’t see anything. Walked back up and went to the bathroom only to see my arms and legs completely covered with scratches, bruises, and bug bites. I guess I was too drunk to bring a blanket. Found out that night he didn’t even go here either, just a townie who walked up. Never again.