The past month in America has been a very weird and confusing time for everyone. The country has had to adjust to this new lifestyle of having to stay inside, shops and restaurants closed, and working from home became the new norm. But to me and students everywhere, remote learning has been such a difficult and weird transition. As a college senior, I think I can speak for college seniors everywhere and say that this is the worst possible scenario for us. I cannot get into my own thoughts and feelings though without acknowledging all those who have been personally affected by the virus: all the people we have lost and all of our incredible front line workers. Whether they are working in the hospital, grocery store, fast food or delivery; they are the true heros right now. Thank you for all you have done.
When my friends and I returned to campus in January, we were all talking about what this semester has in store for us. The first big sign of commencement coming up was our 100 (99) days till commencement ceremony at Reds. It was a sign of how real it was that in a couple short months we would be walking across the stage. Flash forward to March 9th: we found out classes were moving online and the realization that graduation may not happened occurred to us. My friends and I have all had our fair shares of crying and breakdowns over this, but as our original graduation date gets closer, I find myself growing progressively more sad. Knowing that the senior week we have all been looking forward to since freshman year is cancelled and all those last memories we will have with our peers is gone; has really set us over the edge within the last two weeks.
We have all gotten a huge milestone taken away from us. There are so many things at campus I never got to properly say goodbye to & so many unfinished memories like my job as a Student Ambassador, going to Reds with all of my friends, the quad, and every other pioneer I see every day on campus but will not see once I close this chapter of my life. I’m lucky to have the best school president who is doing everything in his power to make sure us seniors get the experience and graduation we deserve. Although, I am dreading May 10th, as the whole day instead of celebrating with friends and family as we walk across the stage to celebrate a huge milestone in my life, we will spend indoors; wondering when the day we walk across the stage will actually come.
Reflecting: I cannot wait until the day comes that I can finally walk across the stage with my best friends and classmates, but until then, I will continue to do my part and stay home in hopes that day comes sooner rather than later.
