College in the Time of Quarantine: ACES Freshman Sally Diallo Confesses.

ACES Freshman Mariam Diallo aka Sally (Mathematics/ Chemistry minor). Diallo is friendly and very active on campus and is part of clubs such as Science Club, Computer Club, and Philosophy Club. She aspires to become a Physician (Dermatologist).

None of us expected a pandemic to affect us the way it did. This is one of the very rare times during which the whole world is locked down in fear, panic, and hopelessness. Although we all probably felt happy the day it was announced that school would be cancelled for weeks. I sure did.

My reaction was, “This is the first time I am asked to stay home, I should take advantage of this opportunity.” It sounds nice in the short term until it affects you mentally in the long term.

One challenge I knew I would  unsuccessfully battle is online school. I am not used to working at home and truthfully, I never was. Unless I am in an environment that disciplines me to work such as the train or school itself, I cannot focus. None of this is getting easier. The amount of school work and studying does not stop. I stay in my room the entire day with a computer in front of my face and my phone on the side. It’s hard. I constantly ask every professor for an extended deadline because I truly do not have any motivation. My professors are probably tired of me and think I am lazy.

And yet, one thing I’ve always known about myself is that I am very determined. I always go for what I desire and never back down to anything that needs to be done.

The last thing I am is lazy. But these days, I can’t help but feel as though maybe I am lazy. I do not even have the motivation to take care of my skin, which most of you know is very clear. I do not pray every day like I used to; my skin has become dry; my laundry has not been done for two months; I don't even watch television. I just sit in my room stressed about school and wondering how I can overcome this non-existent motivation. My family always asks me, “Have you eaten?”; “What school work do you do that keeps you in your room all day and night?; “You’re so slow.” I am slow, yes, I take a long time to complete simple tasks, especially since I am in a battle with a hard situation to overcome. 

The reason I am, in fact, able to complete a lot of school work is because of my close friends, Remi and Josiah. We have some courses together and they call me to work on understanding the topics and the assignments. Not only that, they stay on the call to make sure I complete everything without going off track.

If you do not have friends to help you in times like this, you should probably rethink your circle. Of course, I cannot forget the most amazing ACES tutors and Professor David. They have stuck with me and made sure I completed everything at the best pace I could. They all know the work I am capable of doing and are understanding if I am not at my hundred-percent best. 

On top of schoolwork and struggles with my motivation, I am also pained by the fact that the world is losing so many valuable physicians and health care workers.

Everyday I just want to go out and help those physicians. I am not happy being helpless while the world needs more people who have dedicated their lives to helping others such as healthcare workers.

As hard as it is, I want to thank you all for staying home for the sake of healthcare workers. If I have to go through this hard period to help the world, I am happy to. One day my time will come to be on the front line and I would do anything to help the world as a physician. With that being said, to everyone who may feel the same, it is hard but we are very close to the end. Hang on a little bit longer and get the best grades you can. If I managed all this time without fully breaking, you all can too. Finally, thank you to ACES for just understanding and being patient with me.