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.
Catch up on Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV and Part V.
Part VI
Tyler Konrad is a freshman majoring in Sports Journalism, living in Taylor Place at the downtown Phoenix campus. He’s originally from Pennsylvania but moved to Arizona at the start of the semester for school.
When he lived in Pennsylvania, he worked as a party hostess for a local pizza shop. Konrad is not working currently but rather focusing his time and energy on school.
Although he moved across the country during a global pandemic in August, Konrad has dealt and adapted to these immense changes effectively.
“Since I’m in the dorms, it’s nice to be able to connect with everyone and make friends easily so living here has been good so far. There’s a limit to how many people are allowed in the rooms, and of course, wearing a mask is required.”
Konrad has found taking his five online classes through zoom is relatively easy and doesn’t find them stressful; he mainly tunes in to class in his dorm room.
His days usually consist of waking up at 7:30 a.m., heading to the gym for a quick one-hour workout, taking classes, completing assignments, and falling asleep by 12-1 a.m. Konrad generally strives to work out every single day except for one rest day on the weekends.
Before the pandemic hit, he would play a number of sports including basketball and football, but because of social distancing rules, he’s not able to enjoy those hobbies as much now.
Since Konrad’s major of study is revolved around sports, it’s been difficult to not be able to immerse himself in sporting events and get hands-on experience working in the field. However, he understands the implementations along with the new changes of rules due to the pandemic.
Nonetheless, Konrad is in Blaze Radio where he gets together with two other students on zoom to discuss different sports once a week.
As this is the last month before the fall semester ends, Konrad looks forward to hopefully visiting Pennsylvania for the break and has advice for any student going through school in such an unprecedented time.
“Even though we’re in a pandemic, cherish the moments you have and make the most out of it because you can still find ways to connect with each other.”
Contact the reporter at yhan99@asu.edu.
Yoori Han was the politics editor at Downtown Devil during fall 2021 and part of spring 2022.
