Just like everyone else when we were kids, I could not wait to grow up and graduate high school. I do not feel the same so much anymore. But, here we are, only weeks away from graduating and nothing is at all how we dreamed when we were kids.

When you think of high school seniors, you think easy classes, loads of free time to hang out with friends, preparing for college in the fall, you think about the adventures that you’re going to have the summer after graduation, and having the time of your life. You think about the last first things you’ll do in high school and live in those moments, taking it all in to remember for years to come. That’s not how this year ended up being for the class of 2021 in the slightest.

How this year actually turned out for us is much different and much less fun. Instead of being in the classroom, most of us are online and struggling to keep up with our assignments, which only adds to the amount of stress we’re under. Because of COVID, we haven’t been able to see and spend nearly as much time with our friends as we usually would. Because of COVID, our entire year has been turned upside down.

If this was a normal year and not a good year, I sincerely believe that we would not be under so much stress. We would be able to be in the classroom and not have to stress so much about getting our assignments completed and turned in on time. We would be able to see our friends and make lasting memories that we can’t really do now because of all the restrictions that are put in place to protect us all and to keep us healthy. When we think of senior year, we don’t think masks, social distancing, and virtual learning; we think friends, graduation, and memories.