With school starting right about now, online and in-person, I wanted to create a comprehensive list of the six most important things high school and college students will need for the 2020-2021 academic school year.
1. A mask
It is a privilege to be healthy. It is our responsibility to protect marginalized communities from a virus that disproportionately impacts them. And on top of the obvious health benefits masks provide for your community, you never have to worry about something being in your teeth when you're talking to your peers or a professor (from a safe distance).
2. Anti-Racist energy
It's incredibly important to continue your anti-racist efforts even if you're preoccupied with going back to school. I know that some will try to silence BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) students in the classroom (we all know a "Devil's advocate" kid) or attack BIPOC students with microaggressions and hate speech. We must protect and uplift our peers during the school year and forever after that.
3. Empathy
You never know what someone is going through. Be nice to your fellow students, professors, and everyone in between.
4. A lightweight jacket
I don't know about all of you, but I am always freezing. Not to mention, some lecture halls and classrooms' temperature is never above 60 degrees Fahrenheit!
5. Hand sanitizer
Campuses were gross pre-pandemic, so hand sanitizer is and always will be a must for school.
6. Headphones
Personally, I like to keep to myself walking to and from classes ESPECIALLY if I need to decompress after a long lecture. I love streaming my favorite podcast, listening to a good playlist, or simply talking to my mom as I'm walking to take a few minutes of my school day for myself; so, headphones are essential.
I hope my fellow students stay safe and have a great school year!
