This Is Not What We Expected

Like a lot of you, this was not how I pictured the start of my senior year. I pictured living in an apartment with my roommate with our dogs becoming best friends. I pictured me struggling in biology in person and not struggling with it online. I pictured late night Sheetz runs with friends, and nights where we are so mentally drained that we start binge watching some mind-numbing television show. I saw myself traveling again. 

Unfortunately, none of that is happening. Sure, I could still do a few of those things, but it just is not the same. So, I guess you could say I am struggling a bit right now. Probably much like a lot of you are. 

Online classes are not my favorite thing. I sit in my uncomfortable desk chair in front of my desktop computer for most of the day throughout the week. I work two different jobs on the weekends, so getting things done throughout the week is of high importance. I am also used to walking around campus and doing things to keep myself busy. Now I am lucky if I get to leave my room for more than an hour somedays. I am so tired and mentally exhausted already.  

I have been trying different things to keep myself sane and keep myself going (like taking my dog for a short walk in-between two three-hour classes). Watching a movie or a few episodes of a television show after doing homework for two-three hours at a time have also been helping. I even attempted to read a book for fun again, but my eyes hurt too much from staring at the computer so much. Trying is all I can do right now. 

This is not meant to be a depressing editorial. This is meant to be a “keep trying your best” editorial. You might be twice as stressed out with classes with a job on top of it and other distractions that only you know about, but you can do it. Reward yourself after doing a lot of work. Make sure you take care of your mental health because that is what really matters in the end. I know this was not what any of us expected, but we can do this.