Grace and Gratitude Despite Challenging Times - Part 3

 

There is light, positivity to be found during this pandemic. Everyone has been impacted in some way – and some much more than others. There are moments when time seems to run achingly slow. And there are days that seem like things are spinning out of control.

If we’re able, it might be good to stop, take a deep breath and ask ourselves two simple questions. What have we learned through all of this so far? And for what are we most grateful right now? That’s just what we did with students, staff and faculty at Salt Lake Community College. In a series of eight posts this month, we give you some of their answers. We hope it brings a little light and positivity into your day.

Part 3

Thi Thu Ha Tran, student

Ha is studying business at Salt Lake Community College and says that this year she has been able to “learn more skills like studying online.” Ha says that online learning has helped her “to be more independent.”

David Lehleitner, assistant professor of film production in Performing Arts Department

This year has taught David that students still need interaction. He says it’s not so much an argument of face-to-face versus online but more about building that kind of "community of working together.” He has found that his students can still safely do projects together and that, even though they're exhausted and breathing heavily behind masks, they haven’t let this year get their spirits down.

Jade Simmons, student

Jade recalled her struggles adapting to online learning in the spring but found it to be a blessing in disguise as she has “been able to become more organized and more of a self-starter.” Jade is grateful for the experience because those skills “will be helpful later on in my life when I’m starting my career.”

Charissa Campbell, student, and her service dog Roxy

Charissa is an interior design student at SLCC, and she’s learned to be more disciplined as a result of having to learn online because of COVID-19. She says she is “learning about how much I can actually accomplish on my own.” Charissa says that the support of her service dog Roxy is a huge help to her in difficult times.