It is 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 29th, 2020, and I am currently sitting on my couch by the window watching the rain falling. It has been 15 days since I was last on St. Lawrence’s beautiful campus, 10 days since I was allowed to go for a walk with my mom and dog to my town’s center (before it was considered a risk to do so as a violation of social distancing and the stay home advisories), and 8 days since St. Lawrence announced that we would be learning remotely for the remainder of the semester. At times like this, it natural for us (as human beings) to feel scared and overwhelmed about current events, which causes us to have not-so-positive thoughts or streams of consciousness.
Last week, HC St. Law U released an article about the mental health benefits of journaling, and whenever I am journaling, I always conclude my entry with what I am grateful for. Last night, I wrote down a few things which I realized I took for granted before social distancing went into effect. I knew that I wanted to share this list in hopes of encouraging others to do the same: to take the time to reflect on what they have and recognize what they are grateful for. (Disclaimer: This list is in no specific order.)
First, I am grateful for the longlasting friendships that I have. It is easy for us, as college students, to start yearning for the moment when we can return to campus and reunite with our friends of X number of years/semesters. I, for one, certainly miss the social aspect of college, but I am grateful for having a great support system (or a few) to lean on. Nobody is alone in this world-wide experience of social distancing, and a support system is a valuable asset to have at a time like this. A couple of days ago, I spent several hours on FaceTime with different friends from St. Lawrence; yesterday afternoon, I spent five hours on FaceTime with my friends from high school, and last night, I spent an additional five hours (until 2:30 am) on Zoom with friends from my summer job. During this social distancing period, it is important to utilize technology to the best of our advantage and catch up with friends, as well as check on one another.
Second, I am grateful for my family. I am lucky enough to return to them during social distancing and I am glad to be with them since we have been told that students aren’t allowed to return to campus until further notice. I am grateful for what is an undeniable privilege of being able to be with them when I know there are many students who aren’t able to be home whether it’s due to travel restrictions and lockdowns, or reasons that we don’t even know. No family is perfect, but to know that I live with people who care is meaningful beyond compare.
Third, I am grateful for the education I am receiving. I am incredibly thankful that I am studying at an institution that can afford to teach students virtually. Yes, the virtual classroom is not an experience that I am used to (as I am sure are most students in the States) and my learning style does not match well with pre-recorded lectures, but the mere fact that I am able to be educated is a privilege I am grateful for.
It goes without saying that I express unmeasurable gratitude to our health care workers who are willing to risk their own health/lives by working at the front lines during this unfathomable pandemic. Their service is an act of kindness and bravery that is unmatched at a time like this, and we must acknowledge their efforts, and do as much as we possibly can to support them.
What are you thankful for? Be sure to DM us on IG (@hcstlawu), Twitter (@HCStLawrence), or Facebook (Her Campus at St. Law U).