Graduating during COVID-19 is a weird experience. There was very little celebration on the last day of class, I remember that I had biology and when the lesson ended I thanked her for all that she has done during the past 2 years that I have had her as a teacher and then I closed my computer. There wasn't any yelling in the halls or high-fives, I simply closed my computer and had lunch. My emotions that day were fairly neutral and the rest of the day was insignificant as I carried out the same routine that I have been doing for months at this point. I think that all the other students agree with me in saying that we are all looking forward to university where we can make up for the lost social interactions and events that were cancelled because of Covid.
Everybody I talk to isn't focussed on what we missed out on in the last year of high school, but rather what is to come in university. It's almost like missing the last year of high school has amplified all the excitement of going off to university. That being said, I think it's safe to say that everybody in my grade is saddened and a little frustrated that we couldn't have our final prom, or go to school sports events, it definitely feels as though the social part of high school is missing, and there is nothing we can do to have a similar experience to those in the past.
To be frank, there aren't any substitutes that could fulfill an in-person graduation or grad party. There have been some parties hosted by students in my grade, however, they are unsafe and have caused a significant amount of Covid cases. If it weren't for the risk I would have gone but I can't put my family in that situation. I am lucky in that I have made friends with the people in my neighbourhood and we can hang out and socialize, however, some of my classmates don't have the luxury of spending time with friends and have gone into depressive states.
In summary, there isn't really any substitute for our graduation being cancelled by Covid and some members of my class are truly struggling to cope with this reality. That's why I think it's important to routinely check-in and talk to people that you haven't seen in person for some time, if they aren't doing so well mentally you should try and help them cope with what they are going through.
-Sean Lizzola | Sean is 18 and recently graduated from Upper Canada College in Toronto. Sean is the grand-nephew of Sister Ann Marshall, CSJ.