I was a college graduate during the COVID-19 pandemic

Has it really been two years since I posted on this blog? That’s absolutely crazy to think about. In all honesty, I haven’t had much to write about since my travel posts in 2018. Once I got back into the states, the demands of college kicked back in, and my focus turned to my studies. I also got a job once I was back home, which to this day, still takes up a majority of my time.

As the title of this post suggests, I have officially graduated! Yay! But, as many high school and college graduates of 2020, our graduation looked a bit different this year.

I remember my last day on campus very distinctly. My friends and I kind of knew that it would be our last day together, and that we wouldn’t get to have a normal last semester on campus. It was March 12th (was that really 6 months ago??), the day before we were supposed to go on Spring break. Our Spring break had already been extended, meaning we’d be off campus for two weeks.

My friends and I decided to all just hang out on campus and have one last little hang out before we left. It was a great time–we had lots of laughs and had a ton of fun. After we’d been hanging out a while, we all received an email from our university that, after Spring break, we would all transition to online classes until the end of the semester. They didn’t make a decision on graduation until a week or two later.

The day we found out about graduation was the same day that I found out that my workplace would be closing down temporarily, meaning I was furloughed until further notice. That was a very sad day for my friends and me.

But, regardless, I still had classes to finish once Spring break was over. So I completed my assignments, and submitted my final exams. And that was it–I had officially earned my diploma.

Graduation day was pretty lackluster. My university had decided to host a virtual graduation, meaning that, instead of having us walk across the stage, they’d stream the ceremony for the graduates and their loved ones to watch from home.

I know some people in my year had a big celebration, where they all watched their name scroll up on the screen with the rest of their family and friends, but I opted out of that. I did briefly tune into the live stream, just long enough to see my and friends names.

It was official–I had graduated.

Looking back, I’m okay with the fact that I didn’t walk across the stage for graduation. I mean, I do wish I had pictures with friends in our caps and gowns and such, but I’m honestly just proud of the fact that I finished college. Academics have always been a struggle for me mental health wise. But I finished, and I have the little piece of paper proving it.

I actually am glad that I graduated at the time that I did. No really, I am! I have a unique experience that only my year of graduates has. Plus, I am very thankful that I’m not in school during the current academic situation. Many students are taking classes online, including where I attended university. I know myself and many others struggle in that kind of learning environment, and that can make school much harder than it already is. Kudos to any students who are having to take on the extra challenge of learning during these trying times!

And that’s pretty much it! Again, I’m very thankful to have graduated, even amidst the craziness that this year has brought us. I am still determining my long term goals and where I’d like to be within the next few years, but I’m happy to be where I am right now.

I’d be curious to know how COVID affected you guys. Please feel free to write down your experiences in the comments!

Hopefully I’ll be writing more on this blog now that I’m not in school anymore, but who knows! I would like to get back into writing, and I have a lot more to talk about these days!