You’ve been uniquely challenged with a sudden change to how you learn – from meeting your cohorts and teachers in person, to interacting with them on a screen. You’ve seen many of your activities go by the wayside, canceled, postponed, or heavily modified.
You’ve had to endure social isolation and feel the effects of that on your sense of well-being, belonging. Some of you have even gotten infected, fallen ill. Some of you may have seen family or friends be infected, suffer illnesses, or even pass away.
Some of you may have a family member or members who have lost a job or suffered income losses due to the conditions, and are struggling.
We’ve experienced some bad human behavior – such as anti-Black violence, anti-Asian violence, and mass shootings.
On the other hand, we’ve also experienced people rising to the occasion in times of need – such as neighbors bringing food and groceries to those who can’t go get them, citizens volunteering to do safety patrols in neighborhoods, and keeping everyone informed on how to stay healthy.
Many of you have also adapted and rose to the occasion. You may have set up virtual tutoring sessions for kids who need it. You may have befriended grandmas and grandpas who are isolated. Even organized remote fundraising for community and charity.
For those who have gone through the college admissions process – this was a complicated and tough cycle. You may not have been able to take tests. You likely weren’t able to visit college campuses in person. Some activities or projects you were doing had to be cancelled, curtailed or go remote. And an upswing in application numbers to many institutions made the acceptances very competitive, which juggled your options around. Some may be considering gap years or other alternative paths. But you will always have options and remember, it’s a beginning, not an end. Remember, think long term what you intend to achieve – enrollment in higher education is a means, not an end – and you can be successful if you stay focused and flexible.
So for those who are graduating this spring, our hats are off to you for adjusting, persevering, and not giving up hope. Knowing that tough times don’t last, but tough people do. Carry forward and be strong.
