With all club and organization gatherings being postponed until further notice, students find it hard to socialize on campus. 

This year, socialization at Spring Hill College looks a lot different for returning students. As students look around, there are no more gatherings on Saturday nights at the Fairways, friends waiting for you over by in the cafeteria, or even a small chance of running into a friend outside. In-person social events have been canceled and most students living on campus don't have roommates. 

Freshmen and transfers have had difficulty adjusting and making friends due to the lack of socialization on campus. Colin Beddingfield, a freshman, says, "It is hard to find your place and friend groups when no one is allowed to gather." 

When asked about how he felt socializing through organized ZOOM sessions, he responded “It is stressful especially when you cannot have one-on-one conversations.” Beddingfield also discussed the challenges of not having a roommate. When asked about his current living situation he says he lucked out living in Viragh where students are still able to safely meet up with their pod-mates.

The experience for returning students has not been as difficult as they thought it would be. Although in-person socializing has been minimized, students can still safely meet up with their friends. Thomas Byrn, a current junior, says, "I don't feel like too much has changed when it comes to socializing. Everyone still does it, we are just more cautious about how we do it." 

Many student organizations still find ways to gather in groups of 10 or less in order to follow protocol. 

When asked about where he felt the most change, Byrn says he mostly felt the change when he walked into the cafeteria. After a long frisbee practice, he and his teammates would usually put three tables together. This year, they take their food back to their dorms and eat by themselves. 

Another returning student, Jodi Tidwell, says, "I met all of my friends during the retreat. It was the perfect way to get to know your classmates and stuff. This year I feel like the freshmen did not get that same experience." 

Getting to know her classmates outside of a classroom setting was essential because it allowed them to get close. Tidwell says the conversations weren't about what is due for class tomorrow but rather their interests.

Today's socializing has been a unique transition for returning students and stressful for new students. With policies that limit the ability of in-person social interactions, students find themselves turning to zoom events, their pod mates, roommates and suitemates for safe interactions. 

Until clubs and organizations can meet again, socializing in-person will be a new experience for everyone.