Going to college has been something I've been looking forward to my whole life. My parents went to Oklahoma State and I knew that's where I wanted to go too. However, I found myself sitting in my living room watching the news reports on the day of my supposed-to-be high school graduation. The future wasn't looking too bright.

Come August, and things were different than how I imagined they'd be at this point in my life. Never had I imagined I would have to wear a mask during the hot and sticky weather of the south on dorm move-in day. But at least I was moving in, right? I couldn't look a gift-horse in the mouth.

Right at the start, all my classes were offered to be taken online. I've never been extremely tech-savvy, so I decided to show up to my classrooms in-person while I was still healthy. The masks were itchy and uncomfortable, but at least I had a professor standing at the front of the room, and it that was oddly comforting.

As the weeks have gone on, I've found ways to make friends, even with most social events being online. Hanging out with these other college students has forced us to be creative to keep up safety guidelines. No concerts, movie theaters, or crowded shopping centers. I attend church where the pews have been spaced apart and sit at the "touchable" tables in the dining rooms. with the people I want to spend time with. And even though the sweat pools under my mask, I even have attended a few outdoor sports games, where I only sit in the marked off areas in the bleachers.

My classrooms feel empty, but I've never thought to be grateful that I can come to class and learn until lately. The small crowd had encouraged me to become friends with my classmates, and taught me to "smile with my eyes" to look friendlier. Despite the educational challenges this new way of learning has presented, I'm still on my way to obtain my major I've always dreamed of.

Millions of young people all across the world have started college during a deadly pandemic, and millions of young people have developed their own ways of "making it" through this. While things often look grim, being safe and looking at the bright side of things is crucial.

Trying to find some normalcy amidst all this craziness is the key.