By Aisha Sowe
Within a year, everything has changed around us especially with staying inside for most of our time due to the coronavirus pandemic. With working and taking classes online part or full-time, sitting in front of a screen on Zoom for several hours a day five days a week can be tiring. However, Student Life at Montgomery College has managed to keep students afloat during a changing time.
Student Life offers many virtual events that they host as well as club events. Different events that have been held in the past are game nights, movie nights, chess tournaments, and workshops. Before the pandemic, the Student Life Specialists on all three campuses had planned on having virtual events accessible for students who are unable to attend in-person events. With online learning being fully remote, Student Life decided to move along with their plan and have all events online.
“None of us knew [the pandemic] would be this long,” Germantown campus’ Student Life Specialist Maria Clark said. During the summer all three specialists spent their time doing research for future virtual events for MC students. The specialists utilized their research by looking into different interests in order for students to benefit them during the events. “ I think students can take away reconnecting” Rockville campus’ Student Life specialist Val Melgosa said.
Student Vikrum Deol is the Vice President of the Student Senate at Germantown as well as part of the chair of the activity board. This is his first year in the Student Senate and plays an important in planning activities.
“We’re just trying to keep in good contact with each other,” Deol said. “And with the Senate, we have one goal in mind and with us having such a great relationship, it makes it easy for us to plan those goals.” There have been events for Black History Month and Women’s History Month as well as upcoming events for Earth Week. Deol does as much as he can to ensure that everyone is having a good time.
The Student Life specialists tend to meet with student leaders on Zoom to check up on them and see how they’re doing with school and activities. “The clubs we have are really strong…[the work] is being done. It might be challenging but they’re doing a good job,” Clark added. When MC plans on returning to in-person classes, the Student Life specialists plan to continue with virtual events for students who are unable to attend the events in-person. “It’ll be a good combination of both,” Melgosa added.
Deol recommends for students make a routine for virtual learning if they’re struggling. He also recommends keeping posted on the club and school updates. “I think people should understand that it’s okay to step out of your comfort zone,” Deol added.
You can find out about Student activities on their website, Instagram (stlifegt), and the text “Rockville”, “Germantown”, or “TPSS” to 766-26.
https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/life-at-mc/student-life/index.html
