When having to ask people about how their UD experience is going this semester, I immediately turned to my close friends. I noticed when I was asking them, that I have never really checked in on how they were feeling when it came to their time here on campus. It was a strange change of pace because usually we’re joking around or having fun unless one of us is stressed and crying. Both instances tend to happen a lot given I’m friends with many bio majors or taking hard science classes. It was interesting to just see how everyone was doing beneath the surface of the late night hangouts and study sessions.

There have been a lot of disparities in how my friends are taking this semester so far. For the most part it’s been a pretty decent first 3 weeks back. For others it’s been a long 3 weeks. I personally can identify with all of my friends when it comes to how they’re feeling. My one friend Ethan was feeling a little down when I had asked him how was doing and said in a semi-joking, semi-serious voice “I think I’m depressed but I’m not sure because I miss my girlfriend.” It is totally understandable especially when in a long distance relationship to feel that way. I feel a little sad I can’t see my boyfriend from back home often, too.


On a completely other note, I had asked my roommate how she had been doing this semester and she had been doing fairly well. “On a scale from 1-10, I think my mental health is at an 8.” It was happy to hear that this semester had been going much better than the last as she had a hard transition last semester. My one friend Julia had even said “I’m doing a lot better than last semester.” I feel like a lot of people are feeling more comfortable on campus as well as feeling more adjusted to the college life.