When I attended my “last first day” of classes in January, I never imagined my final undergraduate class happening on a Zoom call.
There was no time to brace for impact. In a matter of days, I learned my favorite springtime campus events would not happen, my best friends would be spread across the country and I would not have a traditional end to my undergraduate career.
For us seniors, we can especially fall into bitterness about these circumstances. We can feel robbed of our final moments eating in the TRoom, hammocking in the quad, participating in our beloved student organizations and walking across the stage in the CFSB Center in May.
Coronavirus has canceled a lot of things: dining-in at restaurants, going to the movies and even visiting our extended family members in their homes.
But coronavirus did not cancel friendships. Coronavirus did not cancel memories, reminiscing and phone calls. And, seniors, coronavirus did not cancel your four years of hard work and accomplishments.
If you are like me, this interruption has not been completely unwelcome.
I’m always on the go. I never take a day off. I don’t know how to rest. I can’t sit still long enough to watch a movie.
You would think this time of isolation would be my worst nightmare.
At first, it was.
But, I have soaked in family time. We take evening walks and watch Tiger King together (I know, but desperate times call for binge-watching terrible television). I have spent more time around the dinner table in the past two weeks than I have in the past four years.
We are even getting the hang of Zoom calls.
Fortunately, I am still able to work from home. Instead of promoting events, I’m doing big picture planning. I’m also watching online training videos to improve my skills.
I have spent more time focusing on my physical health. Daily runs have been an essential source of stress relief and energy.
And then there are naps… lots of naps. Because let’s face it, staring at a screen in the same place of your house is #exhausting.
And as for school?
“We will get through this. We will get through this together.”
Sitting outside on my back porch right now, nothing looks out of place. Birds are chirping. The sun is shining. Dogs are running in the yard. Faint sounds of neighborhood children singing “Into the Unknown” accompany the heavenly breeze.
I believe this “forced pause” will cause each of us to evaluate what is truly important in life.
I look forward to seeing how our renewed strength will make a positive impact on our world.