The global COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed the lives of seven billion people in the world. As a result, college students are just one of the many groups learning to adapt to this new normal. How did a virus begin with one person in Wuhan, China, affect the very own lives of ourselves and our loved ones?
In the “ASU Student Diaries” series, we will change our lenses and view the surroundings of ASU students all over the world; whether it’s a student living on campus, at home, out of state, or even outside of the U.S., all to catch a glimpse of how they are acclimating while getting their education during this pandemic.
Part I
Liam Andersen is a transfer student living off-campus in Tempe, majoring in Medical Studies (Pre-Med) and a part of the Barrett Honors program. After attending Phoenix College for two years with honors, he made a smooth transition over to ASU to further his passion for medicine.
Andersen’s attachment to medicine began within his family. Both his mother and step-father are retired firefighters for the Phoenix Fire Department and his biological father is an Emergency Medicine Physician at the UA Banner in Tucson.
“Growing up, I’ve watched all three of my idols commit their lives to others in the healthcare field- which built a passion for pursuing a career as a physician,” he said. “I truly don’t see myself doing anything else but commit myself to others.”
To follow in his family’s footsteps, Anderson felt ASU was the right step.
“I felt like Arizona State University was the right next step for me because the university has a multitude of opportunities in place for my major,” said Andersen. “Also, being a Barrett student has allowed me to apply for the Mayo Clinic Pre-Medical Scholars Program, which I’ve recently been accepted into.”
Andersen said this semester has presented a number of challenges. The foundation of his uneasiness in this academic semester was the transition to online classes, he said; taking online classes is a new adjustment for him.
While some students have seen a more laid-back routine with the on-going pandemic and through ASU Sync, the school’s online platform, Anderson still has a packed schedule.
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His Monday-Friday schedule typically consists of waking up at 8 a.m., making breakfast and getting ready for the day. From 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., he’s either doing work or studying for school.
On the weekends, he’ll either go on a walk or hike in the early hours of the morning or right before the sun sets, to avoid direct sun exposure during the day.
“I’ve hiked a variety of mountains in Phoenix, such as Camelback, North, and Lookout,” he said. “But my go-to’s would be South Mountain and Piestewa Peak, for their differences in length and incline. Also, I hiked ASU’s mountain, the A, only once last month before the semester started.”
As with many students, if there are excessive amounts of school assignments, that will take up the majority of his weekend.
Before the pandemic first started, he enjoyed working out in the gym with weights, dumbbells and barbells, which is not exactly safe or possible today.
“Back in Phoenix College, I regularly went to the gym,” he said. “But now with the virus, I’m not able to be as active as before.”
As things change, it can be hard to find a rhythm. To better manage his time every day to stay on top of his courses, he emphasized the importance of habits.
“We are the habits that we make, we are creatures of habit and routine. We are a compilation of our habits, choices, and routines,” he said. “Our small daily habits, performed over a long duration of time, contribute to big parts of our lives and who we are. It is important to establish lifelong healthy habits.”
He stressed that even though he has a few concerns about how this semester is going to flow, and questions on how medical school admissions may alter, he’s trying to make the most out of this semester by controlling what he is able to.
“I believe that being proactive as a student in the courses that they are taking is very important for this atypical semester. If students are having a difficult time adjusting to this format of learning, it is always best to reach out to their instructors.”
Contact the reporter at yhan99@asu.edu.
Yoori Han was the politics editor at Downtown Devil during fall 2021 and part of spring 2022.
