With new developments in the war on terrorism revealed daily, students find themselves unsure how to cope with the uncertainty of what terror they will have to deal with next.
"It's scary as hell," College senior Christine Ryan said. "It makes me think twice about everything."
Since Sept. 11, breaking news has taken on a new meaning as each broadcast and special report brings with it additional fears and unexpected problems nobody could have imagined when the semester began.
Anthrax has been found as close as Trenton, N.J., and barely a day has passed without a bomb threat or an evacuation somewhere on campus, most recently at the Graduate Student Center and the Ivy Grille.
"Lately terrorism has been hitting so close to home," said Tiffany Bell, a Engineering senior. "I just don't know what is going to happen next and that is so scary."
As a senior, Ryan's worries are only increased, as she and others who will graduate in May aren't sure where they will be nine months from now or what events could transpire in that short time.
"How are we supposed to try to find jobs or apply to grad schools when our country is so unstable?" Ryan said. "We are trying to go on like nothing is wrong, because that is what we are forced to do, but in reality, our country is paralyzed and in a way so are we."
Many have condensed their planning horizons, scheduling things sooner rather than later.
"Personally, I'm learning not to plan so far in advance," Wharton junior Amanda Krawitz said. "And I am trying to be more spontaneous, taking each day as it comes as opposed to planning my life a year in advance the way I would have before all this."
And for some, finding a sense of normalcy is the only way to cope.
"There is no way to deal with this except to live your life the same way you always have," College senior John Matley said. Only days ago, while Matley was on his way downtown for work, the 15th Street SEPTA station was cleared for a bomb threat, shaking his sense of security. But he said he remains steadfast in maintaining his schedule and occasionally doing even more traveling than he would have prior to the terrorist attacks.
"I am flying even more now, taking advantage of the lower air fares even though I'm not sure what will happen next," Matley said. "I have been going to New York more often. I think I am doing things directly in spite of it."
Student groups have also felt the effects of uncertainty in their schedules. A month ago, they mobilized their collective efforts quickly. Vigils were held, meetings were organized and the purpose of them was quite clear.
Students banded together to form the Harmony Campaign, a coalition of minority groups trying to raise awareness of hate crimes against Arab Americans and support each other at a time when many feel civil rights are being threatened.
Hillel and other religious-based organizations have also been at the forefront of efforts to bring students together for discussions of current events.
But now, a meeting planned a week in advance becomes outdated before it can even occur.
"Its hard for students to balance it all and continue to plan events," said Hillel President David Kagan, an Engineering senior. "It is so hard to predict what will happen next, when another topic could pop up tomorrow that I think right now we are all trying to keep everything in motion and be prepared for the changes."
