A Brief Corona Graduation Rant | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Adulting

A Brief Corona Graduation Rant

I feel obligated to say something since it was supposed to be this past weekend. I'm not in the mindset for wittiness right now.

627
A Brief Corona Graduation Rant

I finished my classes a couple weeks ago. I even passed all of them, despite the sudden switch to remote learning and an unexpected flare of my chronic illness before finals. I should feel a sense of achievement, right? The fact is... I just don't.

Maybe it's the fact that there was no ceremony. There will be (hopefully) in November, since my school was kind enough to postpone instead of cancel, but what about until then? Sure, those things can get boring real quick from what I remember of my high school graduation, but you feel good about yourself. And no senior week either... Maybe I would have preferred a trip to Disney World, or even New York City over Atlantic City, and maybe I would have gotten bored halfway through the Senior Ball, but... Four years of work just to be sent home? Not everyone can recreate any of that on their own, you know, and who knows how long this is going to last?

Maybe I'm not that optimistic about the future. A year ago, I was. I was well, I got to experience more freedom than I'd ever known somewhere where I've always wanted to go. But now... Once again, my chronic illness had flared after years of remission. While I'm lucky enough to stay on my parents' healthcare, I know I can't stay on it forever, and this country's system isn't exactly kind to those with pre-existing conditions... I'm scared of becoming one of those sick people who has to lose most of their paycheck to medical bills and be stuck in a job and/or place I hate for halfway decent insurance. All the more reason to leave the country when I'm able...

Of course, speaking of jobs, at least I could have been optimistic about jobs... Yes, you can do something with a BA in English besides teach. Believe me, I'd LOVE a real job. Not just for the money, but for experience and simply SOMETHING TO DO. Still, of course the virus had to come and ruin everything. People are always looking for essential workers, but with the medications I'm taking (Two immunosuppresants, one for treatment, the other for prevention), it would be dangerous for me. Not only could I more easily contract the virus, but any kind of big immune flare could trigger my illness, thus knocking me off my feet for at least a week. Pain-inducing fluid abiding by gravity and fatigue from lack of protein are no joke... For the time being, I'd have to work remotely, but I'm still trying to find something. Of course, even online it's not easy, this isn't the Sims where you could just walk in anywhere and poof! You're employed, but... Whatever. I'm not looking forward to being grilled about work and what I'm going to do. I want to work. Truly, I do, just let me find something I could reasonably do, and let them hire me.

I guess I don't see an end to this. Not that I see this never ending, but maybe not in the near future, as much as I'm scared. And people in MY CITY, that while imperfect, I thought still somewhat reasonable are whining because they want to go out. Look, okay, yes, I get it, small businesses are suffering, but those people who want haircuts or to get their nails done or anything like that? We have bigger problems, shut up. I'd also seen a couple of post floating around how the immunocompromised should just stay in and let other people go about their business. I say to that, as someone who is, NO. We're human beings, and I say personally that I'm not going to lock myself away from the world for your benefit, especially if you won't do the same for mine. I've only left twice in weeks, both times for essential lab work, and that, combined with any psychological side effects of my medication is getting to me. Right now, being locked away is the last thing I want. I want to live my life, but it seems once again, an illness is stopping me. Only now, when people should care for once, it seems like nobody does.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

1806
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons Why Sisters Are The Best

Who could be a better friend than your own sister?

1169
sisters
Taylor Hooper

I can barely remember back when I was the only child. Most would say it’s because it is extremely difficult to remember things as a toddler but I would say it's because I was bored until my sister came along. My mother always says how important the "sister bond" is and with every year that passes I realize how right she is. Instead of writing a novel about all of the wonderful things there are about having a sister I decided to list a few of them instead.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Adult

You're gonna make it after all.

2729
how to adult
Twitter

It is the time of our lives that we are beginning to enter the adult world and most of us, if not all of us, have no idea what we are doing. It's like starting a video game, but skipping the tutorial. We're all just running around aimlessly hoping we accidentally do something right that moves us along the right path. Now that graduation has just happened, or is right around the corner for some of us, it's time to start thinking about how we are going to take care of ourselves once we are on our own.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

7 Signs You're A Starbucks Addict

I'll be the first one to admit I'm addicted to Starbucks.

1401
drinking coffee
Tumblr

If you’re anything like me, you love a good cup of coffee. My coffee always comes from Starbucks; I refuse to drink it from anywhere else. Over the years, it’s become one of my biggest addictions. So, if you are aware that you’re a Starbucks addict as well, or maybe you need to check to see if you’re an addict, here are seven ways to tell.

Keep Reading...Show less
people  in library
Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash

College involves a whirlwind of emotions, whether it’s from the stress of an assignment (or twenty), or from fighting with your roommate. It can be overwhelming at times and it’s important to take a step a back and calmly think things over. Maybe gain some perspective. The following aren’t foolproof tips and may not apply to you, but I was able to find success with them (hope you do too!)

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments