Looking back on myself before beginning this semester, I am jealous, yet also sympathetic. I began the semester, completely unaware of how my life would quite literally be turned upside down, as everything I thought I knew about college, life, and society would be challenged. Never did I expect to have one of the most important semesters in college ripped away, especially by a disease for that matter. These unexpected changes have put me face to face with unforeseen challenges, for which I am disappointed, but also grateful.
If I have learned anything from such a monumental semester in college, it is that nothing should be taken for granted. Sleeping in a forced triple dorm room, waking up for 8ams four times a week, and walking to class in the cold or rain (or both), are the last things I would have ever expected to miss. But somehow, I find myself sitting in my house, in a town that is not Newark, Delaware (despite my constant hopes for it), wishing for many of the things I previously wished away. I do not feel guilty for taking the little things for granted, but I now know how fast they can be taken away. I know how in the blink of an eye, I could go from sitting in my dorm room doing a homework assignment, to standing in my doorway gazing at the empty room I will most likely never step foot into again.
On the other hand, I will not view this quarantine as something to resent. Instead, I see it as the perfect opportunity to spend time with family, focus on myself (personally and academically), and to experience a life I never expected to live. We have all been forced out of our schools and jobs to stay at home, so we might as well make the best of it. Focusing on the negative aspects of any situation will bring nothing but more negativity into one’s life. Placing a positive light on life will enhance it, and will ensure you are always prepared for the obstacles life is sure to throw your way.
Life is ever changing for the better or for the worse. The coronavirus pandemic has given the world a look into its potential worst, but I am hoping we get a look into the better sometime soon. No matter the circumstances of my life, I know I will never take anything I am lucky enough to have or experience for granted again.
English 110 Honors Spring 2020 
I really enjoyed reading your post! I liked your second paragraph because I think it is something that we have all realized. I’m sure that during the time that we were on campus, we never thought that our daily lives would be changed so drastically. We didn’t think much about how our days passed and we assumed that nothing would change. In the following paragraph, I really liked how you talked about how you’re responding to this situation with positivity. I I think that many people are responding to this pandemic with resent because of how drastically it has altered our lives. I like how you mentioned that you would much rather spend this time enjoying the company of your family and focusing on personal growth. I believe it is important to just face to reality of the situation and approach it positively rather than being upset about how our lives have changed so much.
Thanks for such a great read! Good luck with the rest of your semester and with finals!
~Joanna 🙂
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I really liked the positive outlook you have about this situation. It feels impossible sometimes to be optimistic about the pandemic, but you seem to have made the best of it. It made me stop and appreciate the things I have gained during this time, which I really needed right now. This time has been a nice escape from the rush of reality and has given us a chance to slow down and just take things for what they are. It is certainly true that we grow from the challenges we face and I think you captured that idea really well here. This piece really helped me reflect, thank you!
Danielle
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Bray, I really like your one line where you said “I do not feel guilty for taking the little things for granted, but I now know how fast they can be taken away.” I think like that is a perfect way to put how I feel into words. It reminded me of my 8am walks to Trabant, which required a huge struggle just to get out of bed every time. I also really like how you ended on a positive note.
Chris Metzler
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