On Thursday, while walking to class I saw some flowers that were so pretty that I had to take a pic of them (pictured above). Little did I know that was my last time walking to class as a Florida State University student. The next time I walk our beautiful campus I will be an alumni, a has-been, a member of the class who had the worst possible ending to senior year. In class Thursday, one of my professors had hope that we would return, however, another was not as hopeful. Looking back, I wish I would have taken it in more, said goodbye to more friends and truly understood the impact this virus could have on the remainder of the year. I wish I would have known.
I'm going to be real. So far, my senior year has been awful and this has been the icing on the cake. It's my fault though, I have this problem where I over commit myself. Every opportunity to grow and be a part of something new, I try to take. With that being said, my plate reached max capacity this year. I never had time to have fun and I was almost always stressed. Though I loved everything I was involved with, I was always busy. Accordingly, my schedule was supposed to lighten up after spring break. I planned to get all my homework done early over spring break. I was going to have time for fun things when I got back. I was going to finish my bucket list.
Unfortunately, after some hard decisions published yesterday, this will not be the case. I will be finishing my undergrad online in the comfort of my childhood home. A few of my bucket list items will be left unchecked and my apartment will sit empty. As of now, I won't walk across the stage and receive my diploma, there will be another alternative. I won't take those senior pictures. I won't practice again with my team. I won't wear my uniform again. I won't sit in another classroom again. Needless to say, I am crushed.
With that being said, I understand why these decisions were made. This crazy virus is something that we need to take action for. The results could be worse if we didn't. My heart hurts for the world knowing the impact this virus is making. Aside from the obvious medical issues, many memorable moments and events are being canceled or postponed worldwide, including, entire sports seasons, proms, graduations, weddings, and other large events. It is a crazy time we are living in.
I will say, though it is hard now, this too shall pass. I will get over never accomplishing some things. I will remember the good times and look past the bad. Yes, it is hard now but there were so many good times that I had while at Florida State that this is just a bump in the road. It's something that I will look back on and tell my children about.
Class of 2020, we have been through the wringer - four hurricanes and a pandemic, bet no class can top that!
