Almost 4 years ago, we were delivered with the news about COVID-19. Most of us if not all of us can remember where we were on March 13, 2020. We can vividly recall what we felt when we were told that we were put into the lock down and quarantine stage.
While the news affected everyone differently, one group that the news of the pandemic took a toll on was the graduating class of 2020. Effects from COVID-19 included not having senior night for those in spring sports to not getting ready for senior prom. The biggest effect and game changer for the class of 2020 would be not getting together one last time for graduation. No chance to hear graduation speeches or hearing “On a count of three move your tassel.”
Not only did COVID-19 physically affect us, but it also affected us mentally. As a 2020 graduate, I was in a constant state of worry. I was worried about how my senior year was going to end. I had to take it day by day and week by week to know if I was going to maybe have a chance to go back into my high school before graduation and if I was going to get to have a graduation ceremony. There were times when I would break down while doing homework in my room because all I wanted was to be back in school. We all worked hard to get to this point in our life and before we knew it, it was getting taken away from us.
After what would have been graduation, we started to go our own way. Some went to college while others went to the workforce. Here we are almost four years later after getting the news that the world was shutting down, myself and others from the 2020 graduating class who are finishing college will be finally getting the graduation we deserve. Getting to wear a cap and gown to a ceremony full of friends and family is something that we’ve been waiting for, and we will finally get to do it.
Sources:
Lee, J., Solomon, M., Stead, T. et al. Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of US college students. BMC Psychol 9, 95 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00598-3
Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic. March 20, 2023. National Institute of Health.
Written by: Emma Stephens, Ohio State University Student Intern, Ohio State University
Reviewed by: Susan Zies, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Wood County, zies.1@osu.edu