Bearcat bites is an interview feature that will be posted throughout the fall semester. First up, softball outfielder Emilia Zakoscielny.
BaruchAthletics.com spoke to Zakoscielny on how she has handled the pandemic and what she misses the most about playing and school.
Year: Junior (Academic), Freshman (Athletic)
Major: Digital Media Communications
Minor: Psychology
Sport: Softball
Q: How many credits are you taking this semester?
A: "I am taking five classes for 16 credits."
Q: What is a new hobby you discovered during quarantine?
"The first thing that I got back into is sewing. I always knew how but recently I have found a lot of time and got the chance to fix some of my clothes that were cut or ripped. Another hobby that really excelled during quarantine was my hobby of photography. I started an Instagram account to have a platform to share my passion for photography with others."
Q. What was your go to meal during quarantine?
Burritos...I have been ordering from this place called Taqueria and they have really good burritos, that is definitely my go to meal."
Q. What shows have you been binge watching during the pandemic?
"Marvel movies. I finished all of them except Endgame. I realized I am more of a movie watcher than a TV show watcher."
Q. How has this pandemic changed you as a person? Is there something that you learned about yourself?
"I learned that I very much enjoy the company of other people and with the situation of this pandemic I miss that company. I realized throughout the past few months that I really do work better around others, than being by myself in my room alone."
Q. What do you miss most about being on campus with your team and playing?
"I miss just seeing everyone and just hearing a simple "hello" and "how are you". That was always a nice part of my day because I am a very social person. I miss softball practice because it kept me motivated to work out and work hard to improve my skills and strengths. I miss just being around the team."
Q. What is the first thing you are excited to do when you return back to campus?
"Eat lunch and annoy Coach in his office."
Q. What is your favorite thing to do after you are done with classes on Zoom for the day?
"Eat something or walk my dog"
Q. What is your dream job?
"I am not really sure because I don't know what I want to do exactly yet but I would say something related to television programming"
Q. What is the first place you want to travel to after the pandemic?
"Poland because both of my grandparents are turning 80 within the next year and I would love to see them."
Q. How have you kept in touch with your team, family or friends during quarantine?
"Honestly, I have kept in touch with my teammates through text and snapchat to just check in, and FaceTime with my friends. I also had some friends over and did outdoor dining with them."
Q. What was the biggest adjustment you had to make from going in person to being virtual?
"I am probably going to need to get eye drops. My eyes have been drying out from staring at the screen and even my glasses don't help. Even when I do my assignments I have to look at the screen and my eyes start hurting so I think the biggest adjustment is getting eye drops."
Q. What is the biggest difference you have noticed where you live in New York City?
"Living at the center of everything in New York City I got to see what it was like when the pandemic started to see the streets so empty because people were scared. I would only go outside to walk my dog or go to the grocery store and then I would go back home. There wasn't any exercising outside, everyone really just stayed home. Now with time passing by, there are so many more people back on the streets and it is almost like everything is back to normal with the expectation of masks and being around less people."
