To 2020 Seniors

Since colleges and universities have closed campuses and moved to online instruction, students face a disrupted education and an uncertain path forward. Universities ditching letter grades to adopt pass/fail grading scales, canceling commencement ceremonies, and forcing students out of the dorms have students feeling all sorts of ways. Meanwhile, high school students applying to colleges also face disadvantages between college visits have being canceled and their financial aid packages.

To the Class of 2020, I’m sorry that you were unable to finish your final year the way you’d imagined or that you didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to people you’re used to seeing 5 times a week. I’m sorry the sporting events, lectures you never thought would end, all-nighters and study groups that consumed your life came to an abrupt end. It’s unfortunate that you won’t get to decorate your mortarboard and walk across the stage in front of your friends, family, and classmates.

In the grand scheme of things, it seems selfish to dwell on this. However, the abrupt ending to your senior year won’t be forgotten and your accomplishments aren’t any less valid. To 2020 Seniors everywhere, what you lost is upsetting and it’s okay to be disappointed, but it’s a small price to pay for the safety of your loved ones and it will all pay off in the end.