Benched: Margo Snipe, Student-Athlete and Psychology Major adapts to life in a Pandemic

Margo Antoinette Snipe (COL’20) is a psychology major with minors in French and journalism. She is also a senior captain for the Georgetown volleyball team and president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. As a fall sport senior Snipe was really looking forward to her final spring semester.

“It was finally going to be my time to enjoy college outside of athletics,” says Snipe. “It was prime time to be really social, to go on monument runs mid-afternoon, to stay up late with friends and not have to worry about a 6 a.m. practice the next day.” 

But then, COVID-19 happened. At first, Snipe was really angry and really sad for her loss. “I only got half of [a spring semester], but as weeks have passed, I am growing okay with [it] because I lived it up with all the time I had [on campus] this semester and that time with friends isn’t lost.” 

The abrupt shift in this self-described planner’s life has also forced her to try something she would never have done before: take a break.  

“Without [the pandemic], I would not have had time to myself. I wouldn’t have taken a break. I wouldn’t have had this time with my family,” says Snipe. “I am learning how to do what I have historically been terrible at doing — sitting still, having no plans, relaxing, and focusing on myself.” 

Part of Snipe’s new routine involves meditation. “I started meditation at the beginning of this semester so it’s been great to keep it going into quarantine,” says Snipe. She has also been reading books on leadership, playing with her puppy and catching up on shows like Power, The Bold Type — which she likes because it has a few strong female characters who are journalists — and the occasional episode of reality TV. 

Snipe says adapting to life in a pandemic has taught her that anything can happen and that maybe it’s okay to not always have a packed schedule. “Maybe I don’t need a plan. Maybe it’s ok to be present and go with the flow,” she adds.  The experience has also made her recognize how fortunate she is to be safe and healthy and with her family as she thinks about people who are in  situations where their comfort, safety, and well-being are at risk. Situations like domestic violence, homelessness, inability to access the internet or food all fit this description. “My heart goes out to those who usually find solace away from home but are now confined to threatening spaces,” says Snipe.

Snipe, who lives in New Jersey, says it’s been nerve-racking living so close to New York with the largest COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. But, the avid runner says she admires that her equally active neighborhood has been coping with social isolation by getting outside and riding bikes, jogging, and walking. While everyone maintains social distancing by remaining six feet apart, she is intentional about giving people a wave and a smile when she passes by.

“We could all use a little extra feeling of connectedness right now,” says Snipes.

by Paula Hong

Paula Hong is a senior in the College. She works at Campus Ministry as a member of the Ecumenical Team and attends Sunday Night Worship. 

Photo of Margo, courtesy of  Forever Photography, Brooklyn, NY.