As we approach the final sprint of the school year, reflections on this crazy COVID-19 year have begun to enter my mind and I’ve begun to start processing the true insanity that was the 2020-2021 academic year.
In a world dominated by a global pandemic, with little to no social life allowed, I had a lot of time on my hands to not only find myself, but gain a greater appreciation for where I am in my life.
Over the course of the year, I learned to not take things so seriously.
My freshman and sophomore years were plagued by stress, overworking myself and obsession over perfection.
Yet, for however this came to be a part of my psyche, I learned that it’s all right to breathe a little and not spend every waking moment worrying about a due date or what all is on the agenda list; of course, that’s not to say I don’t still have those tendencies, but they have significantly been scaled back in my own mind.
I also learned that life isn’t perfect and that roadblocks will emerge that are beyond your control; case in point would be COVID-19.
At this time a year ago, I thought I had it all figured out, I knew exactly how the next two years were going to play out and I even had certain milestones pre-scheduled to help me get there.
Well, I can say with complete honesty 95% of what I had planned a year ago didn’t materialize and as a result my plans for the immediate future have shifted dramatically. While that may have caused me great ire in the past, a long year of COVID-19 taught me that life happens and sometimes, the plan must change. Moral of the story: it’s OK, and just because the plan changes doesn’t mean the goal has to as well.
That’s a fact that I think of at least once a day.
Lastly, I’ve learned a great life lesson that has resonated with me throughout this past, dreadful year: resilience is key to everything.
In times of turmoil and shortcomings, it’s easy to throw in the towel and just give up, go home. However, resiliency is a real and powerful way of moving past the barriers life puts in your path.
Without some semblance of ability to overcome challenges, then you are unable to grow as a person and learn more about yourself.
The academic year itself was one full of ups and downs: a bout with COVID-19 derailed me for a brief period, but otherwise I maintained a heavy course load with a handful of extracurriculars that are of great joy to my life. I have to say despite living through a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis, I enjoyed the good and bad that life threw my way.
As senior year approaches, all I can say is the future is looking bright. A summer of adventure and memories awaits, followed by a school year that (hopefully) will be devoid of COVID-19 and full of life; not to mention yet another year at The Gannon Knight to look forward to.
Overall, even with the mountain highs and the valley lows, this was a school year I, as well as many others, won’t soon forget.
Now with the dark clouds moving away, hope is on the horizon.

MICHAEL GUIDO

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