22 College Lasts I'll Never Get To Experience Thanks To The Coronavirus | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

22 College Lasts I'll Never Get To Experience Thanks To The Coronavirus

As a college senior, who just had his last semester of classes moved online and graduation postponed, words can't even begin to express the level of sadness that I am currently experiencing, being robbed of those senior celebrations I have worked so hard to enjoy.

168
22 College Lasts I'll Never Get To Experience Thanks To The Coronavirus
Ethan Williamson

Upon hearing the unfortunate news that Penn State has canceled in-person classes for the rest of the spring semester, I can not help but cry over all those memories with my friends that I will never get to have—that sense of closure and proper goodbye to my college town and everyone in it.

Here are some of the things that I was looking forward to most that are no longer a possibility, as a result of the coronavirus:

1. 55 Days of Cafe

Ever since I was a freshman, I could not wait until it was my turn to celebrate those last few months with my friends by taking part in this senior year tradition. I would see those happy seniors sitting at the outdoor tables on my way to class and think about how one day that would be me, ending a long day of classes with a good old day drink.

2. Friday nights at the ShandyGaff

$6 Pitchers of Strawberry Lemonade... I'll take two, please! Every Friday night my friends and I would go to this bar. It was the only thing that got us through a long week of classes and exams. Although not the most popular bar in State College, we always had the most fun here jamming out to the many throwback songs.

3. Post-going out food trips

After a night out with friends, we would always get some food on the way home before recapping the night at Beaver Hill. Sometimes these late-night talks were even more fun than the actual night out! I'll never forget the time when the Bagel Crust worker nicely charged my friend's phone after leaving it there at 2 A.M.

4. Graduation

Although at this time Penn State has only postponed our graduation rather than outright canceling it, the future of it does not look promising with so many other universities already canceling theirs. I am devastated that my four years of hard work may not be properly celebrated... that I will never walk across the BJC stadium and receive my diploma.

5. My apartment

Located in the perfect spot downtown, nice and close to all my classes and the bars, my apartment was the ideal place to unwind and order something from Grubhub after class. I loved having a space of my own for the first time to host wine nights and have friends visit on the weekends.

6. Dirty Sprites from Champs

7. Classes in Thomas Building

I think it is virtually impossible not to have a class in this building. I had my first class here as a freshman and did not expect my last time here to be before spring break!

8. Sunny days spent on the Hub Lawn/Old Main

I looked forward to the sunny, spring days spent relaxing outside with my Jamba Juice after classes.

9. Walks up the dreaded Shortlidge Hill

Although I was out of breath by the time I made it to my Thomas class, that route was a good source of daily exercise.

10. The Whoop

Who would have thought it was possible to miss a public transportation system so much?!?! The Whoop was always there for me since freshmen year (will always remember the fun rides from East Halls to the frats) and has never failed to get me to where I needed to be despite rain, snow, and sleet.

11. The Lib

The library was a place of comfort for me, an escape from any roommate drama and a place where I could get all my work done. I will miss the time spend there hanging with friends and studying for exams on third floor Paterno.

12. The Creamery

Home of legendary ice cream and even better (in my personal opinion) lemonade, I would have loved to stop here one last time before graduating.

13. Having everyone within walking distance

Gone are the days where my Snap Map was full of friends nearby to hang out with! Being back home these last few weeks has really shown me how much I miss everyone.

14. Living in a town where everyone is your own age

I really miss running into so many familiar faces on my walks to class and around downtown State College. It's such a sad thought that you will never be in a town of so many people your own age again in your life :(

15. Actually having a chance at love

This point kind of goes along with the last one, but after being home these last few weeks I have seen how bad my options are locally and would do anything to give State College love a shot again!

16. Drake Bell performing at the Phyrst

Who wouldn't want to see one of their favorite childhood stars at a bar downtown ?!?! First the Jonas Brothers and now Drake Bell coming (before the semester was suddenly canceled) could have been yet another highlight of my senior year.

17. "We Are" chants

The spring semester was the time where all the accepted student visits would occur. You couldn't go anywhere without seeing groups of incoming freshmen on tours with the guide shouting "We Are."

18. Morning Starbucks trips

I never got to say a proper goodbye to my favorite Starbucks employee who would always have my Strawberry Acai Refreshers ready to go before my 9 A.M. classes.

19. Having my ID bent a million and one times at Sharkies

Got to love being 22 and looking 12...this was where I would buy all my alcohol conveniently located near my apartment and after the first few trips, they knew me by name!

20. The Willard Preacher

This man is a Penn State staple that I will never have the pleasure of listening to again in the near future. It was also interesting watching him debate controversial topics with students between classes, and I would love to see what he would have thought about the Coronavirus.

21. The Blue and White Game

Words can not express how upset I am that we will not be gathering outside of Beaver Stadium this April with family and friends for one last tailgate! This event was the best part of the spring semester hands down, and it just doesn't feel right having it canceled, especially as a senior.

22. Graduation pictures with friends

Last of all, with the rest of the semester being canceled, it is going to be SO much more difficult to get everyone together to take graduation pictures at the Lion Shrine and other iconic spots at Penn State.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190816
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15224
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458104
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26752
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments