Something I don't feel is talked about enough is the disrupted graduate student education and experience due to the ongoing pandemic. I know every student feels they are missing out on big moments and memories with friends and families due to social distancing, mask mandates, and the lack of anything remotely crowded. But, being a graduate student is isolating enough as is, never mind the Covid-19 regulations.
Cornell is a massive school, with dozens of clubs and organizations, but are oftentimes exclusively for undergraduates. The graduate student only gathering place is The Big Red Barn where the events offered are centered around alcohol consumption, knitting, or career prepping. The graduate school weekly email even has a mental health-specific section, listing nature walks and yoga times to attend. There are little to no organizations for graduate students that are centered around having FUN, and frankly, it's depressing.
Having no school-sponsored events to attend would be fine if there were other opportunities to spend time with friends, but alas. Between very independent research that takes at minimum 40 hrs/week and in various buildings across campus, no social eating spaces thanks to Covid-19, no indoor gatherings (and hello winter!), and trying to maintain some remanence of sanity, there is just no time for making connections with people.
Another major cause of disappointment amongst graduate students is the cancellation of conferences. Something that has always pushed me forward admits research slumps is the prospect of traveling and presenting at conferences. During my undergraduate research, I had the privilege to attend many conferences and that experience solidified my desire to pursue a Ph.D. Virtual conferences, try as they may, are just not the same. It's hard to feel immersed in the scientific arena, to network with fellow scientists, and to pay attention to talks, all from the comfort of my living room. I miss conferences and I can only hope to get the chance to attend one in person during the last years of my Ph.D. program.
It feels like I am missing vital parts of my professional training, as well as feeling connected to my local community. I wish for more and my heart goes out to all the other students struggling during these "unprecedented times".