When my senior year changed drastically, I learned the most important lesson of all.
Just weeks before the coronavirus cancelled my college graduation from George Washington University, I was packing for my final college spring break. In lieu of a typical senior trip to an over-crowded beach in Miami, my friends and I had planned to take a low-key trip to the West Coast, stopping in Seattle and Los Angeles. We were looking forward to hiking scenic routes, sightseeing around L.A. and spending quality time with one another.
I was flooded with mixed emotions. Admittedly, I was relieved that a decision had been made, and we were no longer unsure about our daily routines. I had felt anxious going to class in the weeks prior, and it was impossible to focus on a lecture while fearing that myself or one of my peers could be a silent carrier, unknowingly spreading the virus to others. Initially we were told that young people with no pre-existing health conditions were relatively safe.
Still, I yearned for the ceremony I’d daydreamed about during hard study sessions or particularly slow lectures. I wanted to put on my navy blue cap and gown and graduate on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve heard alumni rave about the incredible feeling of graduating on the Mall, surrounded by breathtaking views of the Washington Monument, The White House, Lincoln Memorial and U.S. Capitol Building.
Last but not least, I’ve learned the importance of putting my life into perspective. Amidst a global health crisis, missing out on college graduation seems like a tiny thing, especially in comparison to the struggles that so many others are facing. Because of this, I wasn’t sure at first how upset I should allow myself to feel. I didn’t want to be insensitive, but I was hurt and disappointed to my core.
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