Humans of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Patrick Hibbs

student

I’m in the second year of my bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering. I imagined my time in college to be quite different. One year ago, five hundred students and I had an exam in linear algebra and from the next day onwards all classes were suspended. At first, I quite enjoyed online classes but now everybody wants things to go back to normal.

A message every now and then really brightens my day.

I often attend online classes in my pyjamas. I no longer fail to catch the bus, but it has become quite lonely and boring. I miss the interaction. My friends and I app each other more often, spreading encouragement. A message every now and then really brightens my day. On campus, I had more focus, but I now frequently enter my kitchen for a snack or something to drink. Luckily, my grades haven’t yet slipped.

COVID-19 has had a major impact on my life, way beyond not being able to go on vacation for a while. I haven’t been able to visit my Korean girlfriend for more than a year. Three weeks ago, however, Robert ten Brink from the TV program All You Need Is Love appeared at my doorstep. They had flown her to the Netherlands! It was awesome. But I’m still boarding a plane to Korea as soon as it is allowed again. When I return, I’ll treat my friends to a “broodje Leo” – made to order sandwiches at the Van Vliet butcher shop.