OPINION
SOPHOMORE SLUMP
In an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 while still giving first year students the opportunity to meet people, Tufts established the cohort system, which grouped six to seven students together based on their residence hall floor. However, according to Heald, the cohort system “was toxic and created a hostile environment as people within the cohort had differing perspectives on COVID-19.” Heald claims that the cohort system and COVID-19 policies were not effective as freshmen continued to break them. For those who followed them, they lacked the freedom to find other communities they enjoyed if they did not click with the individuals within their cohort. Due to the difficulty of breaking out of their hen I was a nervous teenager thinking of college, my freshman cohort, many freshmen felt trapped and isoolder cousins and parents would often remark: “Ah- lated in a year that was already difficult due to extreme hhh… the best four years of your life,” as they fondly change and homesickness. The cohort system, as well as reminisced about their time as students. As an eager se- people making friends in their dorm, led to clique culnior in high school, one can’t help but wonder about the ture. People stuck to what felt safe and comfortable as people they’ll meet, relationships they’ll build, and the many freshmen did not see sneaking into another dorm infamous frat parties they’ll attend. But, unfortunately, worthy of jeopardizing their education or their health. that is not how it always works out. The pandemic was a As people cocooned in their halls, freshman year failed pivotal moment for our college experience, and our lives to be what it is meant to be—a system of trial and error as a whole. For the Class of 2024 specifically, it snatched with different people, to see where you really fit in, and away our freshman adventures and put most of our lives feel safe and comfortable. on pause—leaving us confused, exhausted, and very As we begin our sophomore year, the Class of 2024 much alone as we plunge into the next chapter of our is left perplexed and alone. What happens now? As COlives: sophomore year. VID-19 precautions decrease and we meet more people, Freshman year in the COVID-19 pandemic felt like some of us may be realizing that our freshman year a fever dream. It was a constant struggle to meet people friends were just that—friends in freshman year—while while also getting accustomed to eating out of plastic others continue to build and grow their previous relaboxes in our rooms, having limited social interaction, tionships. I feel like I am drifting from certain people, and watching a stream of Zoom lectures. Reflecting on and I end up feeling guilty, anxious, and unsure of who I last year, current sophomore Luke Heald said “it was am and what I want. I hope to meet more people—peovery isolating and it was a washout of a semester.” Men- ple that finally click. As sophomores, we already have to tal health was an issue for many freshmen, and the Tufts start looking for housing prospects for junior year, which administration failed to recognize how the lack of social prompts the question: who am I really close to? And the connection with others was affecting students. Most of us most daunting question of all: have I found my people? were unaware of services such as Counseling and Mental Older and wiser (by one semester), I realize that it is Health Services or Ears for Peers, but truthfully, many normal to have different friends for different things, and students were putting so much energy into convincing to to be a part of multiple social circles. I had to remind themselves they were having a good time that they did myself that in every relationship there are “patches” of not want to seek help. closeness and distance, which was heightened as a result
By Gayatri Kalra
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20 TUFTS OBSERVER OCTOBER 11, 2021
