As this school year is winding down, students, faculty and staff can all agree that this is a year that will go down in the books. As many have been saying, this is a moment in history that will not be forgotten for a long time.
Many saw this year as the beginning of a new decade for new opportunities and changes. I think the whole world can agree that we have definitely had some major changes for sure. The question on everyone’s mind is ‘when will things go back to normal again?’ I do not think things will ever be the same. There will be a new normal we need to adjust to.
We definitely were not expecting things to end so quickly. No, we did not get the spring break we all wanted, nor do we get to finish the year together. The students studying abroad this semester had to come home early, and now the summer session in Italy has been completely canceled. Some may see this school year as nothing but a negative experience given the current circumstances. They have good reason, especially the seniors since they are now missing out on so many events for their final semester at Spring Hill College. Opportunities are being ripped out from underneath so many students, faculty members and staff.
The way I see this whole thing, that it could be a lot worse. Rather than focusing only on the virus and how it is changing things, there are other reasons to be thankful for this school year. First of all, we had our first Mardi Gras parade in decades on campus this semester. Esports came to the campus. President Lee officially became the president of SHC.
These are trying times. Yes, I am only a student who does not have many things to be responsible for yet, so I cannot imagine the amount of stress others are going through right now. All I can say is that we need to keep our hopes up as a campus community. The school is already doing such a good job at encouraging us with emails of support and moving videos with movements such as #OneSpringHill.
The World Health Organization’s director-general stated in their briefing on April 1 that the number of deaths has more than doubled in the last week and they expect to reach one million cases and 50,000 deaths within the next few days.
We do not know what is down the road. Although this school year is almost over, the year itself has just begun. Even though the current circumstances we are in do not look promising, this is a time that can make or break us. This is a time for us to grow and learn more about ourselves. This is a time for us to take a minute and think about the people and things we are thankful for. Choose this time to be the kind of person you want to be.