Being a Student in 2020 Sucks!

By: Olivia James
MENTOR Maryland | DC Marketing & Communications VISTA

As I go through Autumn I have done a lot of reflection. Since the end of August meant starting a new job instead of a new semester, I have reflected a lot on being a 2020 College Graduate. Graduating in May was not as exciting as many college seniors initially thought. Instead of enjoying the last semester of undergrad, we were all sent home due to COVID-19 shutting down schools, leaving us to finish out college alone at home. Not only was this transition a saddening and anticlimactic experience, but it was one that made a huge accomplishment, graduating college, feel like a regular day. There was no walking across the stage, popping champagne with your family and friends, or having and attending grad parties. All we got was a virtual, pre-recorded, impersonal graduation where your name appeared on the screen as if you were looking at movie credits. So instead of feeling extremely joyous and accomplished at my “college graduation,” I felt hurt and ordinary due to the lack of effort the university put into making the 2020 grads feel special. 

Following “graduation” I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I felt lost and unsure about how to navigate entering true adulthood. Luckily for me I had various mentors around me. My older siblings, close family friends, and past professors took the time to talk with me, make me feel proud to have successfully completed 4 years of college, and help guide me to the work I am doing today. Having mentors through this time in my life was crucial. They helped me feel like life after college, even with COVID-19 still impacting everyday life, would be an amazing journey that I should be excited to embark on. My mentors are my light in the darkness. 

Students, no matter their age, deserve someone to confide in, who can assist them in the wild journey we call life. Having a mentor can dramatically change your life. Being able to have mentors that cared enough to guide me through a dark time, even though I didn’t necessarily ask for their help, made me a better person and led me to an abundance of great opportunities. Working with MENTOR Maryland | DC, a job I wouldn’t have known about if not for a mentor of mine assisting me in my job search, has made me appreciate my ability to have mentors even more and motivated me to want to help other students get their own as well. Let’s all work together and help students progress through life, especially since they are dealing with the countless disparities COVID-19 is causing. Take on the #500VirtualMentors Challenge with me to make a student feel as special and cared for as I did when having to experience graduating college during a pandemic. Mentors change lives. Join me in changing a life! Apply to be a Virtual Mentor today!

Continue to enjoy Autumn and the beautiful scenery that comes with it!

Best wishes, 
Olivia