Tourists enjoy a socially-distant afternoon in the Yard.
When she lived on campus, Julia Welsh â23 spent most of her time focusing on classes and hanging out with friends.
Once the coronavirus upended her collegiate life, Welsh, who has lived at home in Philadelphia this past year, took on a slew of responsibilities outside of her coursework, including supporting her family financially, buying groceries, and completing household chores.
Overwhelmed, Welsh said she was forced to prioritize her obligations to her family over her academics, prompting her to drop one of her fall courses.
âI remember being really disappointed in myself,â Welsh said. âIf I was on campus, Iâd probably be able to focus more and I would have more time to not deal with family responsibilities and to focus on this class that I ended up dropping.â
Students Report a Year Ripe with Mental Health Struggles Amid Pandemic | News thecrimson.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thecrimson.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Harvardâs decision Friday to postpone its in-person Commencement Exercises in favor of a May virtual ceremony for the second year in a row was met with dismay but expectation from some seniors.
Thor Larson â21 said he was disappointed and âa little surprisedâ there would be no in-person ceremony for seniors this May.
âI was really hoping Iâd be able to walk across a stage somewhere and shake someoneâs hand and pick up a diploma in person,â he said. âAnd I donât even get to do that.â
Benjamin R. âBennyâ Paris â21 said he is ânot a fanâ of Harvardâs decision.
The âSecondâ Class of 2024
More than 20 international freshmen interviewed said their first semester of college was marked by nocturnal schedules, social isolation, and inadequate support from the College. Many said they feel pessimistic that things will get better this spring.
Like many Harvard students, Nabin Poudel â24 stays up late to complete his assignments in time for typical midnight deadlines.
Unlike others, though, midnight in Cambridge falls around 10 a.m. local time the next morning for Poudel, who is taking classes online from his home in Nepal this academic year.
âSometimes I would find myself working [the] whole night on assignments,â Poudel said.