This blog post goes out to Iowa State University as whole. As I stated in my earlier blogs my name is Nicholas Eckhart and I am currently in my second year at Iowa State. Overall my Sophomore here has been really great and filled with fun surprises such as new friends, new clubs, and a 3rd round appearance in my intramural basketball league. However, the last surprise wasn’t so happy and that was the whole corona virus outbreak. First off I can’t imagine how difficult life is for our university admin and faculty with all the stress of final grades, final projects and answering any student questions relating to finals or the future relating to the virus or school in the Fall.
So far my life during Quarantine hasn’t been anything spectacular. In fact it’s been rather boring emotionally. I’ve been staying in touch with my friends through snap chat and face time. I’ve also been keeping all my news apps in handy to check the latest numbers out on the virus. I also haven’t eaten out since March 12th which has been by far the hardest thing for me to cope with. My cousin in St. Louise actually tested positive for COVID-19 a month ago so it was really shocking emotionally to know someone with the virus. The good news is she recovered quickly shes 24 so shes fairly young and was able to fight it off pretty easily. The emotional distress has mostly hit my mom and dad the most. My mom is pretty protective of my sister and I so we are not allowed out of the house until this blows over. She also has moderate anxiety, so seeing the virus effects on American families hasn’t been easy. My dad owns a small family business so the whole shut down order has put him in a tough spot. He has been working from home in our basement, he has actually controlled his stress well, he is just hoping that all will get normal again.
Academically it hasn’t been too bad, all of my professors/teachers have worked with me really well and I am feeling confident going into finals. I do find it hard sometimes though to keep a routine schedule for studying because now that I am at home I’m in summer mode so that has been difficult.
Overall Financially we are still doing well. My dad has been able to work from home so we are still making an income.
Nick's Travel Blog 