Our Pandemic Summer

The last day of school is always bittersweet. While it is usually a time for goodbye hugs and sharing exciting travel plans, things will be different amidst the COVID-19 pandemic this year. The only hugs shared will be virtual and the only “travels” will be to the freezer downstairs.

Despite social distancing orders, however, MHS students are finding various ways to occupy their two and a half months away from school.

In a survey, 40% of students said they plan to pick up a new hobby like cooking or starting a business. A third wanted to dedicate more time to connecting with family and friends, and a quarter are either taking online classes or participating in summer camps. Others are trying at-home workouts to improve their health. Some students stated that if possible, they wanted to find a summer job.

In-person interactions will definitely be limited, and over 30% of students said they had to cancel a trip due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Needless to say, many are disappointed by this summer’s turn of events.

Neha Meharna (‘23) said, “It will be different because I don’t have the same excitement as I did last year. I’m happy that for two months there’s no school, but usually there’s a plan for vacation and parties. Now, that’s not an option.”

Dina Dank (‘23) said, “My family doesn’t usually travel much, but I’m already bored of sitting inside all day. I can’t wait to see my friends, and the lack of things to do is one thing that’s extremely different from last year.”

But whether it’s spending every day on FaceTime or learning how to juggle, most students agreed that a summer in quarantine would not stop them from finding ways to have fun and de-stress, something everyone should remember to keep in mind during these times.