Sophomore Connor Roberts was in the middle of transferring to KU from Johnson County Community College when the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown began in America. What was already a period of great change for the sports management major has only been further complicated by the abrupt shift to virtual learning and working.

Roberts wished to pick up work reporting on sports for the University Daily Kansan, but the condensed and nontraditional workload of the fall 2020 semester as well as a transfer student’s lack of connections has halted these plans. Instead, Roberts has focused on completing his work and smoothing out his transition between schools in hopes that he can grow his involvement with the School of Journalism beyond his current minor courses. 

Having anticipated class at KU for some time, Roberts did not quite arrive in the environment he hoped. He often describes the campus as it must have been at one point, and what he hopes it will return to in time. Until campus is able to rebound to what Roberts describes as the “normal mentality,” he’ll continue getting his work done – and more importantly, take fewer things for granted.