So the day has finally come. Crumpled paper launches across the classroom as the final bell of the year rings— and now, you are the biggest dog of your highschool. A senior. The last year should be a breeze right?
At least that is what we all thought until the term “social distancing” became the usual.
Being a Senior, in the 2020-2021 academic year, was the most challenging barrier to overcome for me. And as rising high school seniors make their way back to proximate learning, the uncertainty of new Covid variants threatens to make schooling much tougher.
For me, the pandemic was such a challenge that it induced several mental breakdowns. High school is stressful enough without a global pandemic, but with Covid came social and emotional isolation. Though, with tough times comes opportunities— especially for learning. For me, these were the following areas that were most important while surviving senior year through a pandemic, and I believe that they may be just as useful for those facing this year’s venture of uncertainty.
Focus On Mental Health
Distance learning made loving myself hard at times because the pandemic became my excuse when it came to constantly being online. In between our virtual passing periods I’d scroll through Instagram only to see bodies that were praised for not looking like mine. Later I’d join class and continually focus on my frame and not my instructors. I thought “if I were in a classroom right now I probably wouldn’t be worried about the way I looked since my reflection would not be staring back at me.”
I noticed that the deeper I gazed into my screen the more I could pick out the little things (which were unnoticeable to me before) I didn’t like about myself. This made it harder to focus on my teachers and their words.
The possible hindrance to my understanding of a subject frightened me. I could not lose myself in my last year of high school, or else those three long years would be invalidated. Because I was fortunate enough to catch my decline in self-esteem, I challenged myself to reflect and grow.
I knew that deleting my social pages was impossible for me so I began to gradually unfollow the figures that represented an unattainable standard. And as for my Zoom class meetings? I decided that actively engaging in a class conversation would keep me focused on a concept. My curiosity about classroom ideas began to override my obsession with my image. I mean, surely people tend to look better in person anyway…right?
While there may be a myriad of different methods to ease the social pressure imparted by social media, these are just a couple examples that worked for me, and might work for other students in my situation as well.
Self-Discipline
Now you’re probably thinking, “how can I not use my hours for entertainment when this addictive technology is the only thing that is accessible to me during this lockdown.” The key is self-discipline. Easier said than done!
During my stay at Covid Inn, I fell into the habits that were unusual relative to my pre-Covid self— like pushing things off while watching videos on how not to push things off. I was also amazing at piling up papers to build massive homework skyscrapers, a sight that could strike fear into even one of my favorite personal heroes— Amelia Airhart. During the end of my exploration into the homework architecture phase, I realized that letting myself blame Covid for my lack of motivation was indeed a valid argument, however, it was not the best argument— and I did not want to let it get the better of me.
I had to take responsibility for what I let set me back, that way I couldn’t justify sitting around and letting it continue to push me further from progression. I started assigning my own deadlines for my assignments to be due. My 5-page research papers had to be done in under 3 hours or else I’d cut time off of my breaks in between completing work, or I’d do extra credit to give myself more work as a penalty.
It is important to remember that in disciplining oneself, one should also praise themselves. After getting work done, go have a treat, maybe even watch a movie! My favorite is thanking past Leeahnie for doing Future Leeahnie’s work. I really came in clutch for myself with those pat on the back-worthy achievements.
Learning Tools
Finding out the best way to learn was tough because no matter how many videos you may watch on “how to retain information” it depends on you, as a person. I’ve tried watching AP teachers that do quick reviews. I also took on Khan Academy; however, nothing seemed to work. There was a lack of inspiration. These videos presented words that were dull and used daily, I wanted something new. Something that would make me go “ooouuu what is that about?” I desired to be that five-year-old child on her first day of kindergarten. A method that helped me, mostly because it kept my attention, were the short TikTok videos related to the subjects that I dreaded. They were fun, quick, and cool. However, the feed was inconsistent and I wasn’t able to indulge myself within a single subject. One minute motivation sparks, the next minute I get distracted by a dog on a skateboard… which was pretty cool, but not focused on learning. So when I first heard about Edily’s idea to build videos that would be constructed as a “TikTok for learning,” I immediately was in awe. I’m even more excited to be able to work as a marketing intern with the Edily team! As Edily grows from just Chemistry to other subjects, I hope to see people put as much creativity and fun into Edily videos as they do for TikTok today. And I may not be a chemist, but with Edily, I’ll be able to say “who knew that such a BASEic subject could get a REACTION out of me!”
Motivation is Key
This may be the most important piece of advice— find something to look forward to, something that keeps you on your feet. For me, it was hard to find motivation during the pandemic; every activity that I was accustomed to was temporarily shut down. However, when college season rolled by I was reminded that there is a future that I long for and can be achieved through an education that lets me follow my interests and passions. I needed to be just as persistent with making myself proud as this global disease was with its spread, and as we all should be with receiving our vaccinations! After submitting college applications, I looked forward to going to dances, getting vaccinated, and receiving that golden certificate that takes my future to the next level and use that as my north star to stay motivated in a difficult time.
Although graduating this year was an odd scene that I worried would be emotionless, I was glad to see all of my 2021 high school graduates smiling with their eyes and their plain blue masks walk down an aisle – in front of a small crowd – to receive their diplomas. To watch every person that I’ve viewed from a screen my entire school year show up with excitement in person proved to me that our class had been through something that most generations could never even fathom. This graduation was different and will always remain unforgettable. I am glad to have a unique connection and experience with the class of 2021. I’m glad to carry the learning experiences from this pandemic with me. Even though it changed me from the person that I used to be into the person that I am now, I know that these encounters will only continue offering lessons to draw from as I improve the person I want to become.
