Since the announcement of Rutgers going online, with the exception of a few special courses, I have been thinking about things I took for granted while I spent my first year of college on campus. Don't get me wrong though; I am completely content with staying online because I would rather not risk myself contracting the virus and spreading it to my family and friends. However, there are things I will miss about being on campus in college that I do not have at home, and especially during the pandemic.

Being exposed to all different kinds of food.

While in college, I had so many options of where I could get my food: dining hall buffets, school restaurants, cafes, takeout, and even restaurants not affiliated with Rutgers. The variety of food I was exposed to may have not been good for maintaining my weight, but it did pique my curiosity to try new cuisines. Some days, I would stuff myself with a bunch of desserts, and some days I'd stick to healthy salads and smoothies. I enjoyed having the purchasing power and the immediate gratification of swiping my meal swipe every time.

Having quiet places to study.

When I was in college, I had a favorite spot where I could always get so much studying done. The lighting was perfectly bright, the table was very high, and it was overall very spacious and clean. I remember before a chemistry exam, I took all my belongings and started studying all day in that spot. It was nearby a cafe, which allowed me to quickly order food whenever I was hungry. In the end, I did well on the exam and I truly believe it was due to that special studying space.

Being able to have a change of scenery.

Whenever I needed to clear my head, it was so easy to just put on a coat and go outside for a short walk in the park across my dorm. Walking and taking in nature was undoubtedly beneficial for my mental health during college. The best part was that there were sakura trees in the park, which have beautiful and delicate pink flowers. It definitely calmed me down whenever I felt overwhelmed.

Hanging out with friends.

Lastly, I really miss being able to meet up with my friends and just hang out, whether it be staying in my dorm with face masks and tea, or going out to eat at a nice restaurant. I felt very independent being able to have so many options. Because of the pandemic, it would be difficult to enjoy doing these activities with the fear that you may catch the virus. But I believe the pandemic gave all of us time to reflect on what we took for granted and gave us a greater appreciation for the little things.