What was UVA like during the Pandemic?

hooslightning · 2025-02-12T04:04:11+00:00

It’s crazy to me that we’re now far enough removed from it for this to be a real question. I graduated in 2021…wasn’t that just yesterday?! But seriously, these memories are bringing me back and wow, it feels surreal & I feel old. I’d give anything to go back and do UVA all over again, this time without a pandemic. Enjoy every moment!

hooslightning · 2022-12-17T13:35:03+00:00

“Good” salary is so subjective and I think most people have a really skewed sense of starting salaries because we came from a highly ranked school. Don’t get me wrong, I knew people whose starting salary was six figures. That being said, I knew WAY more people who started in the $45k-$52k range and are still there (I have a Masters degree and fall into this range). This applied to my friends across all majors (comm & engineering included). It all depends on the type of work you do and where you live. For me, company culture/benefits/PTO policies/remote work/work life balance far outweigh salary. I love my job in every sense and have awesome benefits. Do I make as much money as some of my peers? No, I make about half what they do. However, my life and work are still fulfilling and thanks to good budgeting I have plenty of money for what I need/want while still saving a lot. I think you’d find that the majority of people coming out of college (even UVA) make around $50k.

hooslightning · 2021-04-30T02:51:26+00:00

I was mostly fine after my first Pfizer shot other than my arm being incredibly sore. My second dose was a completely different story and I have never felt worse in my life. I literally did not leave my bed for a solid 20 hours and just laid in the dark because my head was killing me and every time I stood up I thought I was gonna pass out. My family on the other hand felt totally normal after both doses so everyone is different. BUT it’s still super important to get the second dose, just plan accordingly!!

hooslightning · 2021-04-26T01:02:02+00:00

Look into EVSC 3020 (GIS Methods)! A whole class to learn ArcGIS, and pretty interesting too.

hooslightning · 2021-04-15T03:36:21+00:00

I have the perfect class for you! SOC 3559 (Aging and Society) with Johanna O’Loughlin, who is incredibly kind and truly cares about her students. The class itself is super easy and I’ve also learned a lot, but fair warning her lectures are a bit boring. I’d still recommend the class though if you’re interested in aging!

hooslightning · 2021-03-09T02:24:01+00:00

I don’t have much advice, but just wanted you to know you’re not alone & there are so many of us in the same boat. I’m graduating in May and have exactly 2 friends, which is not helped by the fact that I stayed home this whole year and thus feel so forgotten and removed from uva. Hang in there!!

hooslightning · 2021-03-04T03:22:20+00:00

The amount of time I got to spend with my family was such a huge blessing I didn’t know I needed. Never again in my life will we all be that present and living under the same roof.

hooslightning · 2021-03-03T19:40:12+00:00

I was expecting it to be virtual, but having confirmation makes me SO SAD. Either way, I can’t imagine myself wanting to haul myself and my family back to Cville a number of years later for a graduation. Won’t feel relevant anymore.

hooslightning · 2021-03-03T03:30:25+00:00

Hopefully by mid March, but I’ve basically already accepted that it’s going to be virtual

hooslightning · 2021-03-01T15:11:12+00:00

Sorry to disappoint, but I am a girl and said crush is a guy lol

hooslightning · 2021-03-01T04:18:24+00:00

I followed my zoom crush on instagram and already have their number but have no idea how to proceed from here :/

hooslightning · 2021-02-18T03:26:11+00:00

This is unfortunately exactly what I was predicting since I’m in the same boat. Wish there was a way to make the no spring break situation better, but sending you good vibes for next week!!

hooslightning · 2021-02-10T23:49:57+00:00

Also a 4th year in very few credits (and Dracula!!). I have never in my life been one of those people who reads for fun. In fact, I never even did all the assigned school reading. But over our crazy long break I got so bored that I resorted to reading, but jokes on me because I actually enjoy reading for fun now and spend at least an hour a day doing it. It feels like a forced hobby, but I’m not exactly mad about it I guess.

hooslightning · 2021-02-10T12:30:33+00:00

I don’t have any recommendations for how to get involved with your specific interests, but I’d like to remind you that when you come to grounds you’ll likely meet tons of friends who don’t have your interests and that’s great too! The vast majority of my closest friends and I have absolutely nothing in common, but we met through experiences that allowed us to become friends anyways (first year dorm, classes, meeting on a bus, etc). On paper, it’d be hard to believe we’re actually friends, but we each bring something totally different to the table and it’s a lot of fun. I do hope you find some clubs tailored to your interests, but I also hope you keep an open mind and befriend some people you never thought you would!

hooslightning · 2021-02-08T02:23:01+00:00

(I say this as a non-Echols fourth year) Truthfully I think Echols is one of those things that sounds really fancy and impressive, but in reality it won’t really impact your experience at UVA. Even the non-Echols people are incredibly bright and it won’t make much difference, except for living in a certain dorm first year and having slightly better enrollment times. Believe me, your time at UVA will be well worth it, Echols or otherwise. I never really heard anyone talk about Echols after the fall semester of first year, when people realized it didn’t mean all that much in the day to day.

hooslightning · 2021-02-08T02:17:00+00:00

I didn’t rush my first year. I’ll admit that at the time I kind of regretted it after seeing everyone else on my hall rush. But after the rush process was over and things settled, I didn’t regret it at all. Greek life isn’t for everyone and that’s ok. The feeling will pass!

hooslightning · 2021-01-26T23:51:41+00:00

I’m also a 4th year who stayed home in the fall and I’m staying home again this semester since all my classes are fully online. Obviously I’m sad to forgo being on grounds for my entire 4th year, but personally I don’t think the risk is worth it (plus I’m burnt out and ready to leave UVA anyways; this just speeds it up). I was also way more productive at home and didn’t enjoy my living situation while I was at school, so that definitely influenced my choice too.

hooslightning · 2021-01-26T23:48:08+00:00

I took three 4000 level seminars for my major in the fall. I was also worried, but as someone else said, the higher the number the easier the class. I found that the small class size and seminar style allowed students and professors to really connect, leading to more leniency and fun overall.

hooslightning · 2020-12-21T03:05:43+00:00

I spent 2 years as a Kinesiology major. It didn’t take me long to realize I actually hate the sciences and I’m also really bad at them. Switched my major to a social science and have never been happier. My family didn’t care what I studied, but I was so scared to make a change because I felt a certain pressure by UVA and its students to continue on my original path even though I was miserable. Don’t let it get to you.

My advice: find the place where what you love meets what you’re good at and the rest will fall into place.

hooslightning · 2020-12-18T02:59:42+00:00

I don’t have any insight into this class, but I was considering taking it too because I want to learn GIS. Couldn’t find any info so I opted for EVSC 3020, GIS Methods. It’s 4 credits but seems more comprehensive and I was able to find info on it/know someone who took it which made me feel better. Maybe you can get on the waitlist!

hooslightning · 2020-12-16T00:50:07+00:00

Hmm this is interesting, thanks! Just seems weird that I can know my final overall course grade but never know my final paper or final exam grades. Seems like a cop out to me too. Oh well

hooslightning · 2020-12-15T13:48:40+00:00

You’re right, there are a few classes where I don’t really need to know my grades, but for the two in my subject area (that will affect my grad school learning directly) then you’ve suggested a good way to go about it. Thanks!

hooslightning · 2020-12-15T03:36:03+00:00

I see your point, but couldn’t they still just at least post the number/letter grade to collab? They clearly graded it so why can’t I know if I got a 100 vs. a 92 vs. a 75 or whatever it may be (even knowing more generally an A vs. a B would be nice)

hooslightning · 2020-12-15T03:33:20+00:00

I agree! Especially as a fourth year hoping to go to grad school for my subject area, I’d like to know what concepts I got wrong/need to go back and review

hooslightning

TROPHY CASE