By: Jorge Roque
Whether you were going to be a graduating senior or a continuing student, it is clear that many of us have been left with this feeling of missing out on “what could have been” due to many of the precautions taken to flatten the curve of COVID-19. In a matter of days, we witnessed many things we looked forward to like commencement ceremonies, showcases, or even just plans with friends be canceled or postponed indefinitely. It is difficult finding closure and clarity when many of us were unable to experience some of our “last times” with friends and family.
It can be difficult to process everything going on especially when everything keeps changing. It is important to remember that while we may not be able to reap the benefits of all the hard work we did throughout our time here at this institution that it did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. While it may seem like you did all that work for nothing, we have to remind ourselves that this isn’t a zero-sum game. While events may not have been unfolding the way we wished they did it doesnt mean that your work went to waste. As cliche as it may sound, it is more about the journey itself than the destination.
In the mix of everything going on you should still look for alternative ways to honor yourself and your accomplishments. While the situation may not be ideal you should still rejoice in your ability to overcome the obstacles that led you up to this moment. This means thinking about the amazing friendships and memories you created during your time here. Realizing that this is not the end for many of us. While we all may be experiencing grief, we are all experiencing it for different reasons and in different ways.
If I could give you one piece of advice in this situation it would be to submit to the grief and allow it to take its course. It’s okay to grieve the possibilities of what Spring quarter could have been. It is okay to grieve that commencement may not happen the way you envisioned it, or that your showcase was canceled, or simply that you had to say bye to friends you thought you had more time with. It is okay to let your emotions take over for a moment, but it is just as equally important to find ways to process it. Processing it in a way that will bring you more joy than sorrow. This may come in different forms. It can be keeping in touch with friends, looking through photos and videos, or continuing your favorite form of art. Also realizing that sometimes processing grief may consist of crying, letting out your emotions, or even disconnecting from social media. It’s easy to get lost in the mix of things right now, but I want to reassure you that you have people here to support you and help you through this process!
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