The first year of college is a difficult experience for anyone. As the summer concludes, parents give farewells to their children as they boldly step into a newfound independence. In most years, this experience would be one filled with celebration, family road trips, large orientations, and on-campus parties. 2020, however, had something else in mind for our first-year students. 

The global pandemic completely disrupted our usual way of life, infiltrating nearly every experience and redefining the way we see the world. For the first time in over a century, the graduating high school seniors of 2020 would have to transition to college while taking extreme precautions to not get infected by a deadly disease. A unique virtual orientation ultimately set a precedent for the rest of the school year, giving first-year students an introduction that no college student had ever experienced before. 

Few know the tribulations of such an adventure as Leila O’Neil, a first-year elementary education major with a minor in English language arts. O’Neil’s transition to the university lifestyle was unlike most at Viterbo University. Rather than driving a couple hours from her hometown, O’Neil was tasked with moving all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada. 

“I knew if I had taken a break, I wouldn’t have gone back,” O’Neil shared as she recounted the decision-making process that led her to carry on with her education. O’Neil had considered settling for a local college in Las Vegas but eventually refused to let a global pandemic affect the course of her life. In August, she journeyed wast, defying the odds and opening herself up for a brand-new adventure. 

It was not the most seamless of transitions. “[Viterbo] is very different than what I’m used to. I like it,” O’Neil said, describing her new life in the Driftless Region. Coming from Las Vegas, O’Neil was somewhat shocked by the small size and lack of diversity represented in La Crosse. O’Neil continued, “My high school had more students than Viterbo does,” claiming that studying at Viterbo is like “high achool, but elevated.” 

O’Neil lives on floor zero of Bonaventure Hall. This floor’s entire existence stems from the need to space residents out for their safety. Living in what she described as a revitalized storage closet, O’Neil shares the floor with two other dorm rooms and, much to her dismay, the building’s only laundry room, located directly across from her room.  

O’Neil’s roommate left the university prematurely, leaving O’Neil to live by herself. “It’s definitely difficult,” O’Neil explained, but she continued by stating that the existence of “family units” has made the experience a lot less lonely. O’Neil and the other girls on her floor were able to become a “family unit” so that they would be allowed to spend time in each other’s rooms, despite the current guest restrictions. O’Neil said the decision was sparked because they were “all feeling distant.” 

When it comes to her classes, O’Neil felt lucky that none of hers had to be online. “I hate learning online,” she shared, continuing, “I can’t pay attention.” Attentiveness is not the only part of online learning that O’Neil detests. Since she intends to be a teacher, O’Neil mentioned that the relationship between a student and teacher is very important to her, stating, “Online, you can’t really get that same connection.” 

O’Neil has been using the pandemic to her advantage, taking the time to focus more on herself, claiming, “I was always around people. I kind of melded into them instead of feeling like my own person.” While she has appreciated the time for introspection, she is very excited for the pandemic to be under control someday so she can venture into student teaching, as well as finally attend in-person meetings for the numerous campus clubs she is involved in. 

Against all odds, O’Neil has been able to find the light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how long the tunnel may be. To her, the pandemic has had its own moments of beauty as well. While she is sick of masks, she appreciates how lenient professors have been, as well as how nice it is to have elbow room on shared tables. She intends to keep her spirit bright and her path straight forward, recognizing that these hardships will be worth enduring to eventually achieve the career of her dreams.