COVID-19: How Kappa Kappa Is Coping

Times are tough as the world continues to face COVID-19. As more businesses begin to close, universities are shutting down, and school corporations are diving into online learning, the country has taken a stand still. The state of the world feels as though a dark cloud is looming over our heads, anticipating a long, rainy storm. As the world continues to face economic downfalls, sickness, and even death, I decided to take a look and investigate how the women of Kappa Kappa are coping during this time. I asked sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi what they are currently missing about Kappa Kappa being on campus, what they are doing with their free time when social distancing, and how they are staying in touch with sisters. These were there responses.

For PC’16, I asked them what they miss the most about Kappa Kappa being on campus. The following were their responses:

“I miss having the structure of a job to do and people to do things for, I miss just randomly seeing a face and having it change your day, I miss getting food with sisters!”

“I miss seeing a smiling face at some point during my day! Whether I had classes with sisters, we met up for lunch, or we only saw each other from across the street, it was always a bright spot in my day.”

When asked what they are doing with their free time and how they are coping, they responded:

“Yoga, painting, reading, game night with my family, getting creative with my cooking (yesterday we made homemade pizza and fried pickles all from scratch), and walking my dog!”

“I've been reading a lot more than I've ever been able to during the school year! I've also been learning how to exercise without going to a gym which has been interesting.”

When asked how they are keeping in touch with sisters, they responded:

“FaceTime happy hours, weird snap chats :)”

“Sending Tik Toks, FaceTime dates, and iMessage games have been my saving grace!”

For PC’17, I asked the same set of questions to determine how they are doing during this time. For Kappa Kappa being on campus, they said the following:

“Solely just seeing everybody happy.”

“Being able to see all my sisters around campus.”

When asked what they are doing with their free time and how they are coping, they responded:

“I have been working every day.”

“I have been nannying and staying on top of all my homework.”

When asked how they are keeping in touch with sisters, they responded:

“Text, FaceTime, chapter.”

“I have been Facetiming friends to check in with them. Me and my Greek family had a FaceTime date for about an hour and it was superrrr fun to catch up and just talk and connect with them.”

For PC’18, they were also administered the same set of questions. For what they miss the most about our chapter being on campus, they responded:

“I miss just being around my sisters! AOIIs give off the best vibes and make me feel so loved and at peace no matter where I am. I miss that sense of being at home.”

“I miss seeing everyone’s friendly faces walking to class or just hanging out that would brighten up my day.”

When asked what they are doing with their free time and how they are coping, they responded:

“My mom is a huge puzzle fanatic, so I’ve been working lots of cool puzzles. We’re starting a 2000 piece one tonight! I’ve been trying to stay up to speed on all my school work to make sure I don’t fall behind, but online school is TOUGH for me. I think this whole adjustment was really difficult at first. I’m not a person who does well with change and I often have to prepare myself, but I didn’t have any time to prepare myself for all of this. I moved back home just to be with my parents in case something were to happen, and the first week there was a lot of stress and anxiety. Now, I have more of a routine and know what to do to keep myself busy and occupied.”

“Just trying to stay on top of school work and hanging out with my family. I try to stay in contact with sisters as much as I can virtually so that I don’t miss them too much even though not being able to see some of my best friends every day is already sad enough.”

When asked how they are keeping in touch with sisters, they responded:

“Ally General (our awesome VPCD) came up with a letters to sisters idea that I really loved so I am participating in that!”

“I Snapchat them and text them every day. I didn’t realize how hard this would be on me until I haven’t been able to see them when I want to. I’ve made an effort to reach out to almost everyone in my PC or at least swipe up in random sister’s stories to just let them know how much I miss them and ask how they are doing.”

With our newest pledge class, PC’19, I was especially curious on how they are doing during this time. Being it’s their first year in the chapter, I wanted to especially see if they are doing well during this time. Being a part of the most recent pledge class can be overwhelming enough, especially when spending time away from sisters they have gotten to know this past year. When asked what they missed the most about Kappa Kappa being on campus, they responded:

“I miss seeing my sisters every single day on campus most!”

“Seeing my sister around campus and interacting with them in person.”

When asked what they are doing with their free time and how they are coping, they responded:

“In my free time I’m watching a lot of TV, Youtube and Tik Toks, and going on a whole lot of walks.”

“Sending Tik Toks to sisters and always asking how they are doing and reaching out “

When asked how they are keeping in touch with sisters, they responded:

“I’ve been keeping in touch with many sisters through texting, Snapchatting, and FaceTime calls! I miss them all so much so it’s so nice having Snapchat and FaceTime to see all their shining faces!”

“Texting a ton, Snapchat, and FaceTime.”

At the end of the day, despite the barriers and hard times not only we are experiencing, yet the world is enduring, Kappa Kappa is keeping a level head and is continuing to maintain love and connections with sisters, despite the digital barriers.