I wouldn’t change a thing. Even though COVID-19 drastically changed my plans and life, I became a graduate of the class of 2020.
Looking back, I remember stressing about everything that was happening: packing up my apartment, saying goodbye to my friends in a rush. It was during that first week of classes that COVID-19 struck the United States. When I read the announcement that my last quarter would be online, I was devastated. Gone were my lasts: my last first week of classes, my last time going to a restaurant with my best friend, my last time studying for an exam at one in the morning.
In retrospect, the simplicity the COVID-19 experience brought to my life was valuable and timely. I found the unexpected gift of zen through the following:
Change made me stronger
Instead of being angry about what I didn’t get to do this spring, I focused on the new, albeit strange, experiences I had. Completing my homework outside in the sunshine, taking walks in the middle of the day, even sleeping became parts of my new world. I gathered strength from what made me happy. I stopped dwelling on what I couldn’t change and focused on what I could. I found my life improving in ways I didn’t even know were possible.
Time with family is precious
I realized that college is almost over and adulthood is here. This may be the last uninterrupted time I have with family. I focused on enjoying every minute: making s’mores with my mom and laughing with my grandfather. These little moments are precious.
Friends are far, but always by my side
For the past four years, I have called two people my best friends. And when COVID-19 struck, in less than 24 hours we were separated, states apart. What at the time felt like the end of this chapter of our friendship turned into FaceTime and Netflix parties, study sessions together over Skype, and good old-fashioned phone calls. No matter the distance, friends remain. One day, once this pandemic has ended, we will be together in celebration of everything we survived.
Graduation still happens
When I started the year, I imagined graduating in my cap and gown surrounded by my friends and family. My cap would be personalized with the phrase from my favorite animated movie Hercules that has always gotten me through, “I can go the distance.”
Even though my in-person graduation was cancelled and I wasn’t in my cap and gown, the fact remains that I still graduated. I am proud to officially call myself a biomolecular engineer. Though celebrating with my friends and family in person is postponed, I still went the distance.
Whatever I lost was something I could have lived without
At first, it was easy to believe I lost my friends, my graduation, and my last quarter’s memories. But this ended up not being true. Life keeps moving. Seize the opportunities around you. You can lose your significant other, your business, or your car, but these trials are what make us stronger, providing the realization that sometimes strength comes from within. It must.
So, when looking back at this pandemic, remember the time with our families, the moments invested in ourselves, and the friendships that persevered. Remember the time we were all in this together. Only together as one can we go the distance.
