By Abigail Bender

As the first day of Lent in the Christian faith began last week on Feb. 18, many students at the University of Maryland decided what to give up for the 40-day period leading up to Easter. 

Lent is a period when individuals reflect and prepare for Easter, often sacrificing a luxury to promote spiritual discipline. A person’s sacrifice for Lent can be as small as giving up sweets or as considerable as restricting social media use to one hour a day.

At UMD, students determined different sacrifices they are willing to make for Lent, including addictive apps like TikTok and DoorDash.

In previous years, Audrey Dunlay, a freshman microbiology student, has given up foods and drinks such as soda, chocolate and candy, as well as technology such as Snapchat. This year, Dunlay wants to give up a food she often enjoys: pasta.

“Giving something up that I eat a lot, even though it’s not a necessity, it’s something that would be hard for me, as I like to indulge in pasta,” Dunlay said. “And because of that, I think it’ll be a version of Lent and some type of sacrifice on my part.”

Lent has always been a meaningful time for Dunlay to connect and invest in her faith. In addition to the sacrifices of Lent, Dunlay also enjoys the family traditions she partakes in each year.

“There are a lot of family traditions embedded into a lot of the days that are celebrated during Lent, such as Good Friday, where my family prepares this special type of soup that we only eat, it’s called Fanesca,” Dunlay said. 

Similar to Dunlay, Kaitlin Gardella, a freshman biology student, finds Lent to be a significant way for her to feel closer to her religion. 

“Each time I want to do whatever, I give up or struggle with staying consistent, I’m reminded of the sacrifice and struggle Jesus made for us,” Gardella said. “And it helps me to be more grateful for all that I have because of Him.”

When Gardella was younger, she would always give up chocolate, which is difficult for a child around Easter. Now, in a time when ordering food online is prevalent, Gardella wants to give up DoorDash.

“It’s become something I’ve found myself doing every day,” Gardella said.

Daly O’Donoghue, a freshman civil engineering student, also plans to give up something she often engages with: TikTok. 

“I typically like to choose something that I know will challenge me, and I feel like I have become way too used to scrolling on the app very frequently,” O’Donoghue said.

O’Donoghue previously made sacrifices for Lent that would improve both her mental and physical health, including candy, swearing and soda. She said she made these sacrifices to feel closer to her faith.

“It is also a good opportunity to reflect on good habits as well as to focus on areas that I need to improve,” O’Donoghue said.

Although staying consistent with a sacrifice during Lent can feel difficult, this spiritual discipline encourages a deep connection to one’s faith.

Featured Image: View of University of Maryland’s Memorial Chapel. Photo by Miller Rogers-Tetrick.