Quarantine College Life: A Podcast

The Scripps College of Communication is based in connectivity, so in the times of social distancing and working from home, the college has had to get creative about how we stay connected. Chris Stewart, the operations coordinator of the dean’s suite, manages the college’s student ambassadors. When the stay-at-home order went into effect, Stewart piloted “Quarantine College Life,” a weekly podcast featuring Scripps ambassadors and other students discussing their experiences during lockdown.  

“Everybody’s trying to figure out how to navigate their life. It’s almost like it’s a new life, unprecedented for all of us,” Stewart said.  

The first episode features Brad Walker, a third-year journalism major with a minor in sports management. Stewart asks how he has adjusted to student life from home.  

“It’s been kind of hard for me,” Walker said. “I’m not the most schedule-oriented person. Like I said I kind of base everything about things that are already put in place, so me having to map that out for myself has been kind of tough. It has kind of been a playing with process.” 

The podcast also highlights how students maintain connections while physically isolated. 

“I think weekly zoom meetings with my coworkers and friends have been crucial for me during this time, and making sure I’m consistently texting and talking to those I care about,” said Wesley Temple, a third-year integrated media major.  

For some students, this was their last year at Ohio University and it is coming to a close in a very different way than they expected. Kyra Barksdale connected with Stewart in the sixth episode about what it’s like to be in the class of 2020. 

“I never would have dreamed that this would be happening,” she said. However, Kyra said she remains hopeful about earning her degree and stepping into life after OHIO.