Eastern finishes its first week of classes of the Fall 2021 semester and starts the fourth semester under COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.

Whenever students have been on campus during the pandemic, they’ve been required to wear masks and follow social distancing.

Rules have relaxed slightly this semester for vaccinated individuals. Students who report that they are vaccinated don’t have to wear masks outdoors on campus and won’t be required to quarantine if they are contact traced.

Those who are unvaccinated may be randomly selected on a weekly basis to participate in the surveillance testing program, which would mean they are required to take a COVID test.

Despite all of these guidelines, vaccines have allowed much of student life to get back to normal. Students are both excited and nervous to get back to a semi-normal college lifestyle.

Kyndall Foster, a sophomore biological science major, said that she is excited about her classes being in person.

“My classes are jampacked, so it feels like a real college experience,” Foster said.

Candace Wills, a junior clinical lab science major, said that she feels better about this semester because the campus is more alive.

“I’m feeling a lot better than I did last semester, I remember when I first came on campus, even though I had early classes, I didn’t see anyone out really,” Wills said.

Wills said that her labs this semester were like last semester.

“It varied from class to class. For my lab the teacher split it in half, with one group going off one week on one, but then there are other classes that would have us all together,” Wills said.

Wills said that the worst part of the week so far has been heat.

Jake Karp, junior history education major, said that last year most of his classes were online and in person.

“Last year, most of my classes were online or hybrid and this year they are in person, so there’s a sense of closeness,” Karp said.

Ashley Johnson, a freshmen prenursing major, said that she feels good about her classes being in person.

“It’s helpful when you are actually in the same room as the teacher and its easier for them to help you,” Johnson.

Unlike Johnson, Foster’s classes haven’t been as easy.

“My classes are kind of difficult, since I’m studying pre-dentistry biological science, so it makes me nervous but at the same time makes me more motivated,” Foster said.

As restrictions become more lenient, for some, campus has gotten back to “normal.”

“There are a lot less online classes this year, which gives me a sense of normalcy,” Wills said.

Although there are lots of positive feelings about, there is still some doubt.

Foster said that although she feels like a freshman again and everything is different, she is hopeful because she has seen more people on campus.

“I was just in the dining hall and the way everything was set up was so different, but I’m excited to meet new people and be involved with campus,” Foster said.

Rob Le Cates can be reached at 581-2812 or at rllecates@eiu.edu.