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, Part V and Part VI</em>
Part VII
Hector Cañez, 19, is a sophomore majoring in criminology and criminal justice, but next semester will be starting a double major in history.
The second-year college student is still exploring his post-grad career options but is leaning towards going into the law enforcement field.
He said he chose to major in criminology and criminal justice, because of his interest in law enforcement and already having family who works in the field.
Cañez was originally only planning on minoring in history, but after finding out that many of the required classes overlapped with his other major, he decided to go all in and declare the double major.
Similar to many other students this semester, Cañez has had to navigate the new virtual learning platforms. He currently attends half of his classes through Zoom but is able to attend in-person for the other half of his classes and the class he is a Peer Instructor for.
“I prefer the in-person classes, but I understand the circumstances so I’m not complaining about having to attend some of my classes through Zoom.”
Cañez is currently a Peer Instructor for an ASU 101 course – a course that helps new students understand ASU programs and policies – and says it has been one of the highlights of this semester.
“My favorite thing this semester has been teaching the class. It has given me a lot to put on my resume because I have gained new skill sets.”
Aside from teaching, Cañez has also worked at The Walter Cronkite School since the fall of 2019.
He works about 25 hours every week at the front desk of the Cronkite Leadership Suite where he works directly with the school’s deans and chief of staff.
When he has free time in his busy schedule, Cañez enjoys going on runs, playing video games, and playing the guitar.
The huge soccer fan also collects jerseys and says that is what he is typically wearing one everyday.
However, his love for sports expands past soccer as he says sporting events are what he misses most about college prior to the pandemic.
“My roommates and I decided last year before the COVID-19 pandemic that we wanted to live in Tempe so that we wouldn’t have to take the lightrail to all of the sporting events, but that didn’t work out in our favor.”
Cañez currently lives in a student-apartment right off ASU’s Tempe campus that is walking distance to Sun Devil Stadium.
Despite the challenges that this unprecedented school year has brought upon, Cañez says it has been nice being able to get closer to some friends he made late into last school year.
“Contact the reporter at mtorrest@asu.edu“
