Series: My 2021 Senior Year 

To say that this year was challenging would be an understatement. It certainly goes without saying that adjusting to watching my teachers speak to me through a screen in my bedroom every day was depressing. Not being able to interact with my classmates in between periods, to enjoy my senior year under normal circumstances, and dealing with the constant dread and uncertainty that this pandemic has brought has been far from easy. However, as life starts to return to normal and the sun begins to shine again, I’ve realized that I’ve actually learned a lot more than I thought possible.

The first thing that I’ve learned is that you should appreciate where you are no matter where you are. I spent so much of my time complaining about going to school and going to work. I spent a lot of time taking for granted being able to see my older relatives, my friends, and loved ones without a mask or from a distance. 

I took for granted being able to smile, shake hands, and joke around with people around me without a mask on or having to constantly sanitize my hands. Coronavirus taught me that life can change in an instant, whether you are ready or not, so it is important to be grateful for all that you have and can enjoy no matter how insignificant something may appear. 

I also learned that people are generally good-natured. Seeing nurses and doctors commit to working long, draining hours away from their families in order to care for patients of COVID-19 while putting their health at risk was inspiring to say the least. It was heartwarming to see how people were able to unite to comfort the elderly who were forced into isolation due to being high risk. The billboards sending messages of hope and unity reminded us that we are all in this together. 

From the neighborhoods and student committees that worked together to make graduates feel important to the various companies and people who raised money for COVID-19 relief funds, the goodness of human nature has been prominent during the pandemic. In other words, you are never alone.

The most important thing I’ve learned, however, is that no matter how you feel or how things seem, you are stronger than you think. It may seem like all of the odds are against you, or that everything is going wrong, but I promise it’s not. Sometimes you have to break down to breakthrough, and if you believe in that with your whole heart, you can get through anything--even a global pandemic.