# data[].attributes.body
I was one of countless students setting foot on campus for the first time after graduating from high school during the lockdown and spending freshman year entirely online; And like many others, the idea of leaving the comfort and familiarity of my home city eventually began to feel more like a fantasy than reality.

However, a conviction to manifest those fantasies into realities eventually took hold of me. I could almost see the opportunities that would be offered to me through in-person attendance like an open path. Soon enough, it was done; and when the first day of classes came, I felt like Neil Armstrong preparing to take his first steps on a new frontier.

This image portrays that vision that my determination to get on campus for the first time was founded on - an open path, with the campus and all it's opportunities and experiences fully accessible to me.

# data[].attributes.body
This painting is inspired by the artist Mikki Senkarik, and the original painting was titled "A Touch of Greece". Although I changed a few things in my own painting I gave it the same name as the original. What stood out to me was her vibrant, colorful art, a mix of Impressionism and Realism. Paintings of Greece, Italy and the Mediterranean always attract me since I have long wanted to visit those places. I found a feeling of freedom by staring out at the ocean from inside the courtyard. I felt drawn to it since I have not been to the beach much since being in classes all Summer. I loved everything about the painting- the stone arches, several colorful flowers, the rocky cliffs etc.

# data[].attributes.body
During COVID, I thought it'll be hard to improve my [drawing] techniques because of online learning.  However, I learned a lot from him and with videos on the internet.

# data[].attributes.body
Starting nursing school during a pandemic is one of the craziest, hardest, most stressful experience I have endured. However, it is also one of the most fulfilling experience. We are going to be on the front lines helping care for people who need us the most and we can't wait. Through all of the last minute schedule changes, the 100's of video lectures, and the 2 masks plus a face shield, we are doing it. We are persevering through it all to become the nurses the world desperately needs.

# data[].attributes.body
This is how we talk now. Culturally, the use of face masks as a daily accessory in the United States was never common. The use of masks, due to COVID, made me less uncomfortable when facing a stranger. Generally, when talking to someone, I used to avoid eye contact. Talking while looking into someone's eyes, depending on the attributes of a person, was intimidating to me. Some people have strong facial features, or they may show their emotions easily with their expressions, but now, our faces are covered. The only way we are expressing ourselves, other than the body language, is through our eyes. We are learning a new language.

# data[].attributes.body
This last year of social distancing and necessary COVID-19 precautions nearly didn't affect me. When not working or studying, I would prefer to be far from people in the outdoors hiking and looking for wildlife to photograph.

This photograph was taken early morning in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.

# data[].attributes.body
This is the picture I submitted to represent how different this year has gone due to COVID. The world is quite literally completely online and I have left everything behind I knew in Texas to come to Florida for my education. And although the picture can seem quite dark, I have absolutely loved every minute of being in Gainesville and have a had and amazing time here, however, this picture served as a reminder to what students are still going through on the other side of the screen.

# data[].attributes.body
I never thought I'd be doing my first year of college right inside my bedroom walls, not even remotely close to where I would've been if things had stayed in another time's normal (but would I have even been there if it weren't for this?). Sometimes, I feel like I'm here because of destiny (or circumstance, depending on my mood) and end up asking endless questions full of what-ifs, hows, and when, but they always wash away when I look outside my balcony. I see the mountains and the sky with its baby blues, soft yellows, and touches of pink, the brushstrokes of clouds, and the moon starting to peek, and it makes me think of how the world works in wondrous, mysterious ways, and that no matter what, I am where I'm meant to be.

# data[].attributes.body
In a blink of an eye, life changed us all

My eyes looked different. I learned to look at

what is important, listen to what is valuable,

feel the need for this hug.

The invisible  has become visible now, because

I learned to look differently.

That life is too short to waste time, to hold

a grudge and resentment.

That human beings are vulnerable and can

disappear in the blink of an eye.

That life is the most beautiful gift we have

That faith and hope will keep us standing.

# data[].attributes.body
When the pandemic started, I was in Ecuador 🇪🇨 visiting my son and we were traveling 🧳 and we were locked up 🔒 for two months away from home 🏠.

Then I returned to the United State 🇺🇸 And in the first week I was infected with COVID-19 🦠 which my whole family 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧. The important thing is it that, we all recovered. 😊

The pandemic affected my mental health with a lot of stress 😰, for example, not being able to sleep 💤 at night 🌚 , thinking about my son who is well,

Thinking 🤔 about so many death ☠️ In the world 🌍.

As a student 👩🏻‍🎓 it affected me because everything changed. Online education 👩🏽‍💻 is complicated but not impossible.

I get sad 😔 not being able to go calmly to places, being very afraid 😱, not being able to hug 🤗 or kiss 💋 my family and friends.

I have faith that it will end soon 🔜❌.

# data[].attributes.body
Being in nature grounds me. It's quiet and I can forget about what's happening and refocus.

# data[].attributes.body
One of the biggest questions college students are asked is, “what does college mean to you?” To me, college is the path that will lead me to my dream career. I am currently at Santa Fe College working towards my major, zoology. I didn’t know what path I wanted to take until I realized my true passion, to study exotic animals. When I was younger, I used to watch Steve Irwin on Animal Planet and how he interacted with the different species. Steve Irwin was a wildlife expert, environmentalist, conservatist, and a zookeeper. I decided to use this quote for my photo because it relates to my life right now. Due to Covid-19, a majority of students including myself are having to learn virtually which was a big adaption. I am a student who learns the best with hands-on experience, so it has been a struggle to motivate myself to do my classes. Yet, whenever Steve Irwin came across a conflict, he always found a way through it. Education is important to me, so having passion and enthusiasm is important if I want to get through the seven years of school to become a zoologist. If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

# data[].attributes.body
During COVID, I started to do things that I used to do a long time ago. Painting is relaxing, fun and helps me to improve my artistic skills.

# data[].attributes.body
Earnest puppy stares and constant cord coordination has dominated my life as a student during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have a new appreciation for poring over textbooks, in lieu of in-person lectures.

-Abby
(SF B.S. Health Services Administration Student)

# data[].attributes.body
I’m thrilled to gaze outside and sip my coffee as I ponder over my classwork. All the while, I’m wearing whatever incomplete version of an outfit that feels best in that moment. Maybe I wear shoes, maybe I don’t. Maybe I eat now, maybe I eat later. The time and the tasks are mine to mold into the shape that suits me best. The stress can be set down and address later or devoured immediately. I’m the DJ, I’m the host, I’m the designer of my open spaces.

# data[].attributes.body
What is happening in my picture is me walking up to class with my mask on following all COVID protocols. I took a photo of this because it shows that you can be a good student and attend class everyday even with COVID and that it is not an excuse. This can tell people about my college experience showing that I get good grades and study and have fun all at the same time.

# data[].attributes.headline
Nothing better than a campfire with friends 

# data[].attributes.subject
Nothing better than a campfire with friends 