For students in Cohort A, Monday was our first day back. While I was originally hesitant to come, I truly felt comfortable. Most students follow the arrows on the floors, and I haven’t seen one person not wearing a mask or wearing their mask incorrectly. The doors are mostly all open, the windows let in a fresh breeze, and most of my classes have less than ten students. As someone who takes the pandemic very seriously, I appreciate following safety guidelines. All of the precautions have been taken, but how else does this year contrast prior ones? Classes are shorter, discussions are limited, technology is unpredictable, and the overall mood of OA is down.
My first day back wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t the worst either. I definitely felt more engaged and knowledgeable at school than at home. It’s easier to take notes from a large screen in a classroom, rather than switching between tabs on a computer. It’s more sociable to talk with friends in between classes, rather than just see them virtually. It feels more organized and achieving to physically walk out of a class, rather than simply pressing computer keys to join the next meeting. But with all of these disadvantages to learning, there has to be acceptance. It’s my senior year, but I’m not going to complain that it’s ruined, because nobody purposefully wanted a viral outbreak. I’ve realized that I have to make the best out of this school year since my attitude is the only thing I can control. I think everyone wishes that COVID never happened, but when life presents us with a challenge, we must rise above it. We must try our hardest to get good grades, stay healthy, and do things that make ourselves happy. This year is so much more than masks, Chromebooks, and cohorts. It’s about adapting to tough situations and changing your mindset to benefit you. Because someone who thinks positively is bound to grow more, accomplish more, and be happier, than someone who thinks negatively.