May 2, 2020, was supposed to be a day that I would remember for the rest of my life. I was supposed to countdown the days until this date, send out announcements, invite my loved ones to Tallahassee and celebrate a day that was meant to change my life. May 2, 2020, was supposed to be the day that I graduate from The Florida State University.
As a student who is graduating a year early while also completing her Master’s degree at the same time as her Bachelor’s, you could say that I am motivated and driven. I’ve been working hard since the first day I got to FSU in 2017 and looking forward to the day I got to shake President Thrasher’s hand and receive my diploma. I was supposed to have those bragging rights and get to feel accomplished after all my hard work.
Instead, on May 2, 2020, that oh-so-important day that I have been looking forward to for three years now, I will be sitting in my apartment watching a pre-recorded YouTube video. This is supposed to fill me with pride ad make me feel accomplished. A YouTube video. No cap and gown. No graduation dress. No graduation announcements. No family in town to celebrate. No graduation party afterward. Just my laptop and a YouTube video.
Obviously, if it were up to anyone, we would change the state of the world and get rid of this pandemic that is plaguing millions across the globe, but unfortunately, we can’t. This is our reality and we simply have to accept it. For the Class of 2020, we had no say. We didn’t get to fight it. We didn’t get to have so many “lasts” before our lives were abruptly uprooted and changed forever.
I didn’t get to have my last day of undergrad classes. I didn’t get to take graduation pictures with all my friends that I wanted in them. I didn’t get to get dressed up and do my make-up and drive to the Civic Center for the biggest day of my life so far. I won’t get to hear my name called or see it on the jumbotron. I won’t walk across the stage in my gown. I won’t get to move my tassel along with the Class of 2020. I will simply hit play and close my laptop when it is over.
My last three years at FSU have been anything but ordinary. I never expected to meet the people that I have, experience the highs and lows that I’ve been through, made the memories that I’ve had, but I did expect one thing. I did expect to fall in love with this school and everything it has given me, and that is true.
While the ending to my time at FSU has been anything but ordinary (and most certainly nothing I would have ever wanted), I wouldn’t change the last three years for anything in the world. I love this school and I love every opportunity it has given me, every friendship I’ve made, and every memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
It’s been one hell of a ride for the past three years, and this weekend is where it all ends – well, at least for my undergraduate degree. FSU I love you, thank you, I am so thankful for the journey. For one last time as an undergraduate student at THE Florida State University, Go ‘Noles!
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