Over a year after the global pandemic began, Sonoma State University students had no other choice, but to adapt to methods in order to socially connect with each other. Some students feel comfortable enough to pursue nightlife activities, but others have found that they can recreate similar “nightlife experiences” from the comfort of their homes.

Story responses from followers of the Sonoma State Star’s Instagram (@sonomastatestar) calculated that a majority of students prefer to stay home and do activities such as having dinners with roommates or staying in with friends to watch a movie.

Katherine Breeher, a fourth-year student at SSU, in response to the question, “What does your nightlife consist of now?” and “What do you do for fun?”, on the STAR’s Instagram page, said “Staying inside. Having one or two friends over.”

With many places being closed, it has inspired students to become more creative by partaking in activities that include doing arts and crafts, journaling, solving puzzles, painting and playing with their pets at home. 

 Isabel Tostado, a fourth-year Mathematics with a concentration in secondary teaching major at SSU said being inside during quarantine has allowed her to focus more into her creativity. 

She said, “I found myself doing a lot of arts and crafts or activities that required a lot of focus such as doing puzzles.”

According to The Atlantic, they state, “These are trying, busy times. But art can act as a stress reliever, and there are lots of small ways to add creativity to your quarantine routine.”

While many students may prefer to stay indoors, others still enjoy being outdoors with activities such as hiking in Sonoma County or eating outdoors. Places such as the Simmer Claw Bar in Rohnert Park or at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma.

Anthony Baldini, a fourth-year Art major at SSU, often goes to the casino with friends and said, “There’s not much nightlife [there] because you can’t really talk to anyone except the people you go with.”

Another student, Katherine Lunsford, a fourth-year Wine Business and Management major, shared her thoughts on outdoor nightlife places. 

“I applaud those restaurants who had to move their services outdoors and everyone working having to adapt to a new atmosphere,” Lunsford said, “I would fully describe it as, you can only do so much and go to the same places because we are kind of limited still on what we can do during the night.”

Since quarantine, the SSU community has been scattered across California and many relocated into different kinds of living situations. Couples who live together learned more about their significant others, while those who were single found ways to bond with friends, family and roommates.

Carrie Li, a third-year Business Administration & Financial Management Major at SSU, shared some of her thoughts about living with her significant other. 

“The pandemic has definitely helped my boyfriend and I become closer. I think we learned a lot about each other from a different perspective,” said Li, “With the pandemic being present for over a year, I am not happy about it, but I am very glad that my friend and family are healthy.”

On the other hand, Tostado expressed how being home throughout the year has positively impacted her social life. 

“I try to cope with this by keeping in touch with my friends and family to kind of make up for the in person time that I may be losing with them,”  Tostado said. “I felt the need to go out pretty often during this time, but knew that I should not be putting myself and others at risk as much as possible.” 

According to data being tracked by the Sonoma County Health Department’s website, about 25% of the Sonoma County population are fully vaccinated. This data leaves individuals with the feeling of eagerness to go out and reconnect with their friends and family in person. 

“I miss hanging out with my friends and I am genuinely excited for this pandemic to be over. It’s something that I look forward to because a whole year has been taken away from us.” Li stated.