Editor’s note: “The new normal” is a continuing series that looks into how members of the Los Medanos College community are coping with a shelter-in-place order amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

 The unprecedented shutdown of college campuses and various non-essential businesses across the country has led many to question their next moves during this pandemic. 

Los Medanos College student Cameron McNeely is a first semester community college student that is dealing with the recent pandemic interfering with his academic journey.

The 19 year-old Business Administration major recalls his initial reaction to the halt of on-campus courses.  

“The transition from in person to online courses has had both positive and negative results,” said McNeely. “I enjoy having a lot more free time, however, I have experienced a lack of motivation to keep up [with] classes. Having that structure to my week removed has made it easy to fall behind on coursework. As weird as it seems, I miss going to classes.”

Despite the increasing difficulty to stay motivated, McNeely has found that looking forward to things and maintaining goals has helped him stay on track. 

“I try to look into the end goal for doing all of this, whether it be trying to transfer to a four-year [university] or just wanting to obtain the knowledge to help further my career, and that’s enough motivation to bring myself to action.” 

With recent talks about slowly re-opening certain businesses in various states circulating through the media, looking ahead to a future free of the COVID-19 virus may be the best way to escape the monotony of our new normal.