This was going to be the spring of my sophomore year at Bow High School, and I was looking forward to some amazing months filled with events and friends before the stresses of junior year hit.
It’s easy to be disappointed by the sudden change of plans, but the longer I’ve been in lockdown, the more I’ve been able to come to terms with what has happened, and grieve what could’ve been. I’ve come to appreciate that the whole world is in hibernation. Although there are definitely disappointments, there are also once-in-a-lifetime benefits. I have more time than ever to explore nearby trails, to cycle, and to try new things such as sewing, drawing, and playing instruments.
My friends and I have also created new ways to connect; we’ve tried to stay in touch by texting, spending time facetiming, and watching movies together on the app Rave. I’m not the only high school student who has found ways to seek benefits of lockdown either. I set out to connect with my Bow High peers and gather their thoughts.
“Temporarily departing from the fast-paced and success-driven mindset of modern life has been an adjustment, but the mandatory rest has given me time for introspection and appreciation of our state’s amazing communities,” said Bow senior Ruby Towne.
Especially for high schoolers, many of whom are balancing testing, classes, extracurriculars, and a social life, with the threat of college or careers on the horizon, it can be beneficial to have some time to take a breather. Apparently, a government mandate is what it takes to relax. However, despite some of the benefits that some of us have experienced, many students are dealing with disappointment over missed opportunities.
For sophomore Cassie Murphy, that means a trip left untaken. “All my siblings have been to Haiti, and I’ve been trying to go the last three years. Things haven’t gone to plan but this year was the year! I’ve been anticipating it and have spent time preparing for it. In a blink of an eye, my trip is over. My plans meaningless, and my hopes frozen in time once more.”
Many students are dealing with cancelled sports, internships and many other events they’ve been working toward all year. This is even worse for seniors, as events such as prom, graduation, and senior trips have been cancelled. Dealing with college decisions is tough as well, as senior Katie Cross explained, “It’s tough for seniors who hadn’t already committed or decided what college they wanted to attend because now we won’t actually get to see all of them in person and we will have to make a decision without ever actually stepping foot in the college.”
Although I haven’t had to deal with the stresses of college decisions, online school has been an adjustment for me. I’ve found it hard to be motivated to complete assignments, and I miss the joy of getting up in the morning, catching up with my friends, and having a vibrant, full day with anecdotes to reflect on before I go to sleep. This has definitely been the hardest adjustment for me. Other students have experienced this issue as well.
“Going into quarantine has allowed me to focus on myself and new activities,” said sophomore Eva Rook. “However, I do miss the motivation and happiness that school gave me everyday. I find myself missing my friends, teachers, coaches, and freedom of course.”
I do feel lucky, however, as I have not yet dealt with any personal impacts from this pandemic. I’m very grateful for this, however it is still easy to worry. Sitting here endlessly has given me so much time to ponder and be anxious, and it’s an easy mindset to get trapped in. Some students do have more to worry about than others.
As Bow resident Sheridan Brummett, a sophomore at Worcester Academy, described, “It’s pretty scary being an immunocompromised person right now.” Many students are dealing with being immunocompromised, or living with someone who is, and this can make the pandemic so much more worrisome. Despite all of this, many students have chosen to ignore the CDC’s guidelines. Sophomore Sophie Key shared her frustration with some of these students, explaining, “It still shocks me that people are being selfish and not caring about social distancing and hanging out with people. The better we distance and quarantine, the sooner everything can go back to normal.”
It’s an adjustment for students to deal with a global event like this. For Generation Z, this is the first time experiencing an event this impactful. “It’s something that I never imagined that I would ever have to do,” said sophomore Rorie Cochrane. I’ve experienced difficulty coming to terms with this as well. As senior Evelyn Hatem described, “I am thankful to be home safe with my family, but worried for the future health and economic devastation to come.” She also described, “I’m so grateful for all the essential workers taking care of our community.”
The coronavirus has shaken all of our lives, and will define our generation for years to come. The pandemic is affecting all of us, creating a sense of fear and camaraderie. The virus is giving everyone a chance to pause and reflect on our lives, something that rarely happens in everyday life. It’s important to be mindful of those helping to fight the pandemic, and help them out by isolating. At the moment, many of us may be disappointed, feeling lonely, or frustrated with the quarantine, but also take a moment to reflect on the situation as a whole. Maybe try to take a breather, and appreciate the once-in-a-lifetime chance for complete silence.
(Katherine Lessard is a student at Bow High School.)