*Note: This was originally published in 2021 on my former website.
Hey, graduating class during the pandemic, it’s Trish here, and I just wanted to say how proud I am of you for making it to your last year of university or college. If I could give you all a big hug through my laptop, I would.
I can only imagine how you must feel going back to school during this time. It’s not like every year you’ve had before–it’s different, strange, and uncertain. I know many of you are going to have classes online and while online classes are better than no classes this year, it’s still not the same as experiencing your last year on campus.
I want you to know that it’s okay to grieve the loss of experiencing your last year in school in person this September.
It’s okay to miss the in person experience of going to school. It’s okay to miss everything about the normal school year. It’s okay if you hate learning online, but are trying to find ways to make it less painful. It’s okay if you’ve cried a few times already. It’s okay if you’ve decided to take this semester off to deal with the anxiety and pain you feel.
It’s okay, so okay to grieve the fact that things this school year isn’t the same as it was last year.
hat you’re feeling is real and valid. You’re grieving the loss of the normalcy of this school year. Here is an article that helped me understand that I was grieving this year, and I hope it helps you during this time: https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief.
You’ve been through so much this past year just like everyone else, so please don’t think you have to suck it up and pretend that everything is normal. Do the absolute best you can during this strange time. Grieve the loss of this new school year. After you’ve grieved, pick yourself up and remember that this time is temporary and that there will be better days ahead.
Trish types away 