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Editorial: This is our chance for a new ‘new normal’

With the temperatures warming and mask mandates lifting, opportunities to get involved around campus have been the best they’ve been in almost two years.

Just semesters ago, The Scout wrote an editorial after student outcry that they were being deprived of the full “college experience,” especially for the incoming freshmen at the time. If that taught us anything, it showed that students were longing for events to attend and creating memories with their friends.

For freshmen and sophomores, it’s high time to get the real feel of college that has been impossible so far due to the pandemic. Juniors, you can finally return to the Bradley experience you knew for just over a semester before it came to a grinding halt. Seniors, this semester is your last chance to appreciate the college environment before stepping out into the real world.

Since Bradley updated its indoor mask policy, club meetings can be more personal. Now is your chance to find out what the bottom halves of your classmates’ faces look like. On top of that, student organizations may be looking to build membership back to pre-COVID-19 levels.

With the virtual experience fast becoming a memory of the past, now is the time to build bonds with peers void of spotty internet connections and poor audio quality. There are a variety of clubs offered at Bradley for anyone’s interest, whether that interest is exploring Peoria, sipping on coffee, snacking on cereal or participating in a more academic-focused organization.

Hilltop Happenings and Presence are great places to start if you are unsure of which clubs you would like to join. If you want our suggestion, The Scout is always looking for more contributors.

Don’t stop at joining clubs; go to athletic events and show your school pride. Attendance at sports events plummeted due to social distancing and capacity limits. If possible, show up to cheer on any Braves playing a game to give them a morale boost.

As a matter of fact, why stop there? Stretch those limbs and show off your skills.

Our Division I baseball and softball teams aren’t the only way to keep up with sports. Join an intramural team or make the short trek down to Laura Bradley Park and toss a frisbee around.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to seize any opportunity possible to be close to those around us.

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The Scout is published by members of the student body of Bradley University. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the University.