5 Reasons to Stay Optimistic About Graduating During A Pandemic

As a senior that is graduating during the pandemic, I’ve been through the emotions of not having a conventional graduation and going into a job market that has possibly been depleted. I would be a liar if I didn’t say I was sad and upset at some point about the whole situation and wanted to give up. I literally didn’t have the funds to finish my final semester, but with persistence and faith, things came together in time for me to complete my education. I came to the realization that I couldn’t allow the chaos around me to distract me from something I worked so hard to accomplish. I know that I will be walking away with much more than I lost. Celebrate that you made it and that you accomplished something great and possibly became the first person in your family to receive a degree! Whatever your situation is, this is your time and I have more reasons why you should stay positive during this time. 

You worked too hard to give up- Did you really come all this way, worked this hard, and survived long nights of studying to give up right at the finish line? You are almost there! There’s a saying that states how everything will fall a part before it all comes together, so keep the faith and stay focused on the finish line. 

Sense of Gratitude- Once you receive that clearance for graduation, you will feel a rush of gratitude because you’ve endured it all and still came out on top. Thinking back on all that I went through with hoping to graduate this semester, I would not change the outcome for anything. When you put your heart and soul into something and are able to see the fruits of your labor, the reward is that much sweeter. 

You’ve gained the ability to pivot- Not every graduate can say they’ve found innovative ways to pivot during a pandemic. Transitioning from in the classroom to online is not the easiest when its something you haven’t signed up for. You probably had to create a schedule, stay updated with emails, set up your room to accommodate, plan out your day to make sure you were adequately prepared etc. You learned how to balance and plan your day. You adapted. Congratulations you’ve leveled up in adulthood. That’s what its all about. 

Realization and Reflection- If you’re anything like me, you took the down time due to the pandemic and you silenced the noise of everyone around you telling you what you should do. During this time for a lot of world, we took time to really focus on what we wanted from our school experience, but most importantly after graduation. You now are more cognizant of when its a good time for you to slow down, take a break, and be in tune what it is you truly want. Look at you stumbling upon growth! 

You’ll feel accomplished- When it’s all said and done, you’ll feel so accomplished and confident. You’ll be ready to tackle the next hurdle with a breeze. 

You are what companies are looking for. You’re strong, have the ability to adapt, and work well under pressure. You really are a gem. Happy grad season!