This year, my mentee Breanna Snow and I had a virtual explore Columbus event via FaceTime. First we talked about our day and any life updates we wanted to share. Breanna is a life guard at you community pool, which she says is very hectic since every school in her district are not using this same pool. I told her about my new job as a tutor, and we talked about how classes and finals are going. After catching up on our daily lives, we discussed what we would have done if we were in person. I told Breanna all about the short north market–which is a great place for getting a variety of foods and goods like bubble tea or waffles, as well as Condado’s Mexican place, which is an amazing build your own taco restaurant. I know that my mentee loves Mexican food which is why condados tacos was the best locations. I also learned that she likes bubble tea and fresh veggies, which is why the market was a great spot as well. The market has all the things we both like as well as some new options we could both try. During the call, I walked through how the day would go. The main resource mentioned was the COTA bus, which I explained is great to use while she is a student here at Ohio State. The COTA is free with just a swipe of our buck ID which is great traveling and exploring Columbus any day of the week. I also explained how she can use it and next get lost by using her Ohio State App. The app shows when the busses will arrive and where, as well as which bus is the best option to take when traveling. I also showed her how the app shows you what stores and shops use and can accept Buck ID cash, which is a great way to spend you money without spending your actual money. I showed her how to all works and how I bought so many things like clothes and food with my buck ID.
After we discussed how we must get together in person. next semester for our explore Columbus trip, Breanna has expressed some frustration with getting out and exploring Columbus due to lack of interest and communication with her peers this semester. Being a part of the Stadium Scholarship Program (which I was also a part of), she saw that many people in her dorm are not at close and inclusive as I described to her from previous years. Before, we would do community service together, have competitions, celebrate birthdays, and even have moviemakers nights in the common areas together with gatherings over 15 people. Without getting to know people outside of zoom calls, it is hards to get people to meet up in person and go on adventurous trips with you, especially in the middle of a pandemic. She also told me that many resources are not only new, but not understood since it wasn’t explained in person. I understand her frustration, especially as a freshman. This is not how anyone envisions their years in college–being lost and confused with only online friends. I tried to answer as many questions and concerns she had, and hoped it helped for further experiences. I hope things get back to normal next year so freshman like Breanna can explore Columbus and enjoy their college experience. I remember exploring Columbus almost ever weekend I could with my friends, many that I met through aces. If it weren’t for the pandemic, Im sure Breanna would have fun and experience a great time in the city as much as she could, while also doing well in school and in the classroom.
It has been hard to connect to Breanna online because I was used to being with my mentor all in person with face to face interactions all last year. It is hard to have motivation to do anything in the middle of a pandemic. Many people are scared to leave the house, or even come to campus to engage in activities or get out and meet new people. I think my relationship could have been a lot stronger if we had more things like meetings, events, social gatherings, and activities in person so we could have face to face conversations. Now, they feel so less personal and important to the other. although we got to share things that are difficult for each other, it would have been better to do more with each other.