For nearly a year, Bemidji State University has joined the world in facing the global COVID-19 crisis. Now entering a new semester and another year, students are making fresh, resilient starts.
Navigating online classes and a heavy course-load, Bemidji State’s Savanna “Sunny” Werlein is focused on striking a balance between wellness, productivity and social life. A junior double majoring in chemistry and biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, Werlein has learned to give herself the time and space to step away from the moment and concentrate on her personal needs amidst the pandemic.
“I try to look at how important the situation actually is and put it into perspective. Is it really worth losing my peace over,” she asked. “I also try to give myself time to recuperate. I have started taking more breaks and doing things I love to give myself a mental break from everything going on around me.”
Similarly, Bemidji State junior Rebekah Asp, a psychology and philosophy major from Sauk Rapids, has set both academic and personal goals for the spring semester. She is especially excited about her program’s new course selection despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.
“I am taking some interesting courses and I am excited to see what content they offer, especially in the context of our cultural climate,” she said. “It is easy to get stressed out and feel like I am falling short of my goals, but I am hoping to be more kind to myself. These past couple semesters have been difficult and full of adjustment, but I am learning how to adapt as I go along.”
Meanwhile, student athletes are equally experiencing a challenging adjustment to the new normal. A key member of the BSU soccer team’s defensive unit Megan Dahl felt the heartbreak of missing a regular season in the fall. But despite the hardships of 2020, Dahl, a junior from Rosemount majoring in exercise science, is entering 2021 with the hopes of making the most of this year.
“We came in hoping we’d have a championship season and it was stripped from us,” she said. “I spent too much of 2020 scared and upset with what was happening. Moving forward, my focus is to be grateful and to make the most of anything that life throws my way. I manage a lot of my stress with exercise and music. Even if it’s for an hour out of my day, it really helps me tune out and relax.”
Likewise, senior Griffin Chase from Akeley, is spending his last semester with the men’s basketball team in the midst of the unknown and has felt a significant impact on his academics and sport.
“With all online classes, I have to make sure to stay tuned in and get my assignments done on time,” he said. “As for basketball, things have definitely been different. We’ve been wearing masks to practice and are tested for COVID-19 regularly. We have fewer games scheduled this season, but I am just glad to have the opportunity to play.”
Chase is set to graduate this semester with a degree in sports management and is among many graduates who feel uncertain on what the future brings.
Casey Johnson, senior psychology major on track to graduate in the Fall 2021, joins her peers in their efforts to remain positive during uncertain times and finds solace in the Bemidji State community.
“There are a lot of moving parts with being a senior in college,” Johnson said. “With the uncertainty of COVID-19, we don’t know yet how graduation will look. It’s kind of scary graduating during the pandemic, but I know that everyone at Bemidji State is doing their best to make sure we succeed. We will get through this together.”
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