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Anjali Patel who is studying neuroscience at UVA is very satisfied with how UVA has handled the coronavirus situation. “[The university] is always available to contact for questions and the professors seem more lenient…UVA has done so much to make this transition… as smooth as possible.”

Patel misses UVA greatly. “I miss everything about it! I miss the nature there, the college town life, the independence, my friends, my professors, everything.” She jokes that she even misses the squirrels that run everywhere on the grounds.

There was one person at UVA at the time I spoke with Patel that had contracted the virus and she mentioned the effect on her. “…emotionally I was very shook. I see UVA as a safe haven and having the virus in a place [that] I have become so attached to was shocking.”

As far as online courses, Patel has had a difficult time transitioning to online classes. “Having online classes has definitely changed my college experience. At college, we are used to just going to the library to concentrate.” She stated that being at home allows her to have more time to focus on work, but there are many distractions that make it harder to focus.

Patel has been anxious about the virus and her anxiety is elevated by the people not taking the pandemic seriously. “I know people that are still going places and it is important not to.”

For Patel, the fact that the virus has come to Franklin is scary. “Franklin is not a big city, so just the fact that the virus is so close, is quite terrifying.”

Patel points out the importance of helping others and giving back during this time. “…If you are able to donate anything, anywhere, please do.”

AMBER WILLIAMS is an intern for The Tidewater News. Contact her at editor@thetidewaternews.com.