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My Senior Year Might Not Have Been Ideal, But Here Are 4 Ways COVID-19 Helped Me Grow

I lost the last nine weeks of my senior year to the Coronavirus, but I have gained so much more.

Allyson Luckie

May 26, 2020

Oklahoma State

393

My Senior Year Might Not Have Been Ideal, But Here Are 4 Ways COVID-19 Helped Me Grow

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On March 10th, I cleaned out my locker thinking I'd be moving into our brand new high school a week later. I didn't have a care in the world, other than thinking about the end of my senior year and finally moving into the new high school. I thought everything was fine in the world other than the virus that was effortlessly making its way across oceans and countless borders. But, it wasn't going to affect me, right? Boy, was I wrong.

The next night, the NBA postponed its season due to this virus. Then, before we knew it, everything was either cancelled or postponed. On March 23rd, the State Superintendent of Oklahoma proposed that Oklahoma schools remained shut down for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Just like that, my senior year and all the end-of-high school activities I had looked forward to for as long as I can remember, were gone.

Still, this article isn't about the sad and negative outcomes but instead, it's about everything I've gained throughout this scary time. There are several, but here are just a few:

I've spent more time with my friends than I would've before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Personal Photo

You'd think I wouldn't get to spend time with my best friends throughout this. But if anything, I've spent more time with them than I would've if we had a regular ending to high school. One of my best friends and I have gone on many expeditions for the perfect photo and many snow cone dates. We still decorated our caps together - well, we tried to, but is that really important? Then, we scheduled our "check out of high school" with our other best friend, which was followed by another photo expedition and a trip to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Ramiro's - a restaurant of which will forever have my heart. These are the times I will never forget.

I've grown in my faith.

Another thing I've done is grown in my faith. I've been a Christian for as long as I can remember, but I never did "quiet times" until quarantine. Let me tell you, it's been amazing. The things I've learned and how much my life has changed is crazy. If anyone reading this is looking for a bible study or does not know where to start, as I struggled with, let me recommend Priscilla Shirer's book, Defined: Who God Says You Are. I linked the girl's version, but the guy's version is right there with it.

Another thing I started doing to help me grow in my faith is listening to Sadie Robertson's podcast, WOAH That's Good. This podcast has one question: "What is the best piece of advice that you've ever been given?" Sadie has interviewed people such as Jeremy Camp, Ben Higgins, Michael Todd, and Chrissy Metz. I listen to this during any free time I get. If you haven't heard of it or checked it out, I recommend looking at it. I wasn't a big podcast person before so if you're not either, just give it a shot. You never know until you try. All of these things have helped me grow in my faith, which I am very thankful for.

I've connected with my 'Cowboy Family' at Oklahoma State University.

While Oklahoma State University has cancelled in-person orientation, along with all other summer events, I've still had the opportunity to connect with people that I'll be interacting with this fall. Social media is truly an amazing asset for this reason! I'm in so many group chats for my soon-to-be home, and they have all helped me get even more prepared for this fall. I've met so many people in my class, people I'll be living around, and some of the Oklahoma State Odyssey team - I cannot wait to meet them all in person!

I've learned to appreciate our healthcare and essential workers more than I did before.

Most of all, I've learned that our healthcare and essential workers are amazing people. Well, I knew this already, but I gained even more respect for them through this pandemic. If you haven't thanked one today, do it. They work so hard so we can stay safe and happy during all this craziness while risking their own safety and happiness. We would be so lost without them.

I know this isn't the 2020 that everyone thought it was going to be, especially for my fellow seniors, but we have to try to make the best out of this somewhat scary experience. If we don't, life will never go back to "normal" - whatever that is.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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My Senior Year Might Not Have Been Ideal, But Here Are 4 Ways COVID-19 Helped Me Grow

I lost the last nine weeks of my senior year to the Coronavirus, but I have gained so much more.

I've spent more time with my friends than I would've before the COVID-19 outbreak.

I've grown in my faith.

I've connected with my 'Cowboy Family' at Oklahoma State University.

I've learned to appreciate our healthcare and essential workers more than I did before.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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