COM Outlook Summer/Fall 2020

36 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE A lot is happening, while at the same time, we are at a standstill. If you had told me at the start of 2020 that I would see devastating Australian wildfires, America at the brink of World War III, Kobe Bryant passing away, or the start of a pandemic, I would have laughed in your face. How can anyone imagine these events occurring in such a short span of time? The enormity of these events left me untouched; however, the COVID-19 virus leveled the ground. Similar to many students at our school, I packed my bags soon after NSU shut down in-person classes. I flew home to quarantine with my parents for an experience that has been unlike any other. I feel as if I have regressed into my routine as a middle-school student. Every day begins with my dad barging into my room at 7:00 a.m. when my alarm rings. Ever since I can remember, my perspective of time has been distorted, because my dad adds an hour to the actual time—simply for dramatic effect. Alas, I awake, get dressed, pray, and go downstairs to eat breakfast. The rest of my day can go two ways. If I’m motivated, I will get through my lectures and then get distracted by social media or Netflix. If I am not motivated, I will start a lecture and proceed to scroll through social media. As I write this, it is day 70 of quarantine, and you can safely assume I am on the same routine with added hobbies to curb my boredom. For example, I have expanded on my hobby of creating home videos and vlogs and decided to film my daily routine. I listen to music, FaceTime my friends, and go on countless walks. I learned to transition from being a social, outgoing individual to focusing on myself. Medical school is challenging on its own, and social distancing has added to it. I miss walking around the hallways of the Health Professions Division. Most of all, I miss the post-exam celebrations, with everyone together for one evening to let loose. Due to social distancing, I have come to realize that people are the most valuable to me. No matter who you are and where you come from, this pandemic has shown us that, without each other’s presence, life is less than full. Here’s to hoping the new normal is behind us in a matter of time. Jilpa Shah is a first-year KPCOM student. BY JILPA SHAH “New Normal” Musings HOBBYIST Jilpa Shah I flew home to quarantine with my parents for an experience that has been unlike any other.