Each school year innately brings excitement with new classes, new school supplies and a chance to start fresh. It is satisfying to think back to a year ago and see how you have grown. Even here at the Threefold, in the last year we have said goodbye to our print editions and a great executive editor, and we welcomed a whole new team of editors.
For many, this year isn’t what we expected. There was some hope over the summer that this school year might be what we knew two years ago. Yet, with the persistence of the pandemic, the appearance of new variants, and few to no ICU beds in our own state, we are settling in for a familiar- yet distanced- semester.
Each John Brown University student had a different experience over the summer. Some went home and worked a summer job; others stayed in the area and gained work experience in internships; some invested in the lives of children as camp counselors or au pairs. For many, this summer was restful; for others it was stressful, and these students enter the school year exhausted.
Freshmen enter the school year nervous, knowing they will have to create a new routine and environment. They will struggle with missing home, while seniors are beginning to worry about finding jobs and places to live and experiencing the first of many lasts. Sophomores and juniors are balancing school, new and old friendships, and deciding what to dedicate their time to this year.
There is no campus-wide slogan this year. No “Centennial Year,” no “love your neighbor, love yourself, love JBU.” Yet those principles should live on. We are 102 years into the history of JBU, but we should still celebrate the ability to live and study on this beautiful campus. Even though some of the restrictions previously in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are no longer enforced, consideration for other students, professors and staff should continue.
We urge you to enter the year with an understanding of what your peers are feeling about this year. Be kind to those around you. This looks like wearing a mask when you are in large groups of people. It looks like emptying your trash into the trash cans before placing your food on the dish belt in the caf. It looks like trying your best to attend classes and be fully present. Your kindness will help make this a memorable year.
Know that we, at The Threefold Advocate, are experiencing or have experienced many of the same things that you may be going through. We are dedicated as a team to make this a great year, and we invite you to join that goal. Whatever experience you had over the summer, however rested or unrested you may feel going into this school year, reset and fully enjoy the season you are in.