To keep us Cyclones connected throughout this period of encouraged social distancing, we gathered responses from Iowa State community members to hear their stories and thoughts.

Kerstin Swanson

Year:  Junior

Major: Statistics

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

How are you managing the adjustment to social distancing?

“I’m doing just fine! I feel very fortunate to have a comfortable home to stay in with my loving and supportive family. It has been nice to spend more time with my family, and just slow down in general. I am trying to take advantage of the positive things that have come out of social distancing, and have some perspective on the whole situation.”

Taylor Ferrere

Year:  Senior

Major: Animal Science, Microbiology

Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin 

How are you managing the adjustment to social distancing?

“At first, it was really hard. I had no motivation to do any homework or school work and as a graduating senior with all classes pass/not pass, I saw no point. Also during this time, I was searching for an apartment in the city where my new job would be. That was an added stress as I wouldn’t be able to tour any apartments and would have to sign for one without ever seeing it in person. I eventually got on somewhat of a schedule, or at least was motivated to do work. I think another factor that got me to do the homework was the anxiety of work building up. I know I can choose for the classes to not count toward my GPA, but I don’t want to look back and remember that I blew off my final semester because things got a little inconvenient. My roommates and I Zoom each other once a week to catch up. I miss that we won’t get into any shenanigans before we all go our separate ways. I suppose we’ll just have to meet up some time after college. It’s not how I imagined my final semester going, but I’m managing.”

Mackenzie Scherff

Year:  Junior

Major: Communication Studies

Location: Bartlett, Illinois

How are you managing the adjustment to social distancing?

‘It’s been rough. I’m back with my parents and back in my childhood bedroom. I can’t visit with family that live down the street like I usually would. But I’m trying to deal with that by calling friends and family every day, something I never really do under normal circumstances.”