In elementary school, senior year seemed so far away. The year 2021 felt as though it would never come. All of the movies I had seen told me senior year was going to be the best year of my life, that every day would be like a movie in itself.
Throughout middle school, I prepared myself to enter high school where my classes would get harder and grades would be more important. I stressed about the difficult classes my counselor told me to take my freshman year, but was happy knowing senior year would be my easiest year of school.
Starting high school added many difficult changes to my life, like the new building, harder classes and more pressure. The years pushed on slowly as I stressed over every test, quiz and assignment. All of it was leading up to the best and final year of school.
At the end of my junior year, everything stopped due to the pandemic. The class of 2020 lost their final couple months of their senior year, but I would be fine. Everything would blow over by the end of summer. Little did I know this was only just the beginning.
Senior year had finally started, but it wasn’t like the “High School Musical” year I was promised. “Cohort” became a common word in my vocabulary as I was forced away from half of my friends.
I wasn’t given a chance to wear the homecoming dress I was planning to buy or go all out for spirit weeks. Leaving class early for an assembly and having secret conversations in class were things I never thought I would miss.
I was told I shouldn’t be angry about having a bad year because I knew this was going to happen. I was told the class of 2020 had it worse, so I should feel bad for them. I was told to get over it, that life goes on.
As graduation nears, I can’t help but regret some of the decisions I’ve made throughout high school. Had I known that my time at Northview would end like this, I would have done things differently. I should have gone to more games. I should have talked to more people.
At the same time, I am happy that the year is close to an end. Working hard for four years has finally paid off.
Next year I will be going off to college and leaving this school behind. I’ll be leaving some of my friends, but I’ll always have the memories of our covid-friendly get togethers, quarantine facetime calls and texts about not understanding our Zoom lessons.
Senior year wasn’t the year I expected nor wanted, but I made the best out of what I was given.
I enjoyed the hangouts with my friends and the fun times messing around in class. My tennis season was the highlight of my year. The new friends I’ve made helped me push through the tough times.
This year has taught me how to adapt and adjust to changing times. I’ve learned that I should try new things and go to events because I may not get another chance. Life is always changing and nothing is certain. Covid has taught me there are ways to enjoy the present moment, regardless of what it looks like or expectations that it does not meet.
