Opinion: No in-person commencement is a disappointment to the class of 2020

In a time of disappointment, we can still display connection

Elizabeth Fernandez (left) and Eva Herron (right)

By Elizabeth Fernandez and Eva Herron | April 1, 2020

As the pandemic worsens domestically, we have been tasked with the duty of staying inside. “Social distancing” and “flattening the curve” have now become popular terms on social media posts and news outlets. It’s no surprise that the reality of our new isolated lives brings complicated feelings to many. 

Like others, our experience with this isolation has been a particularly hard one. As seniors in college, we are grappling with many immense emotions all at once. Suddenly we are now facing an end that we were not prepared to have for at least another two months. There will be no formal closure to our college experience, and no real chance to say goodbye to friends, professors and experiences that helped shape us. No chance to walk across a stage, receive my diploma and close out a chapter in our lives that meant so much to us. All too suddenly, we are done. 

When left with these emotions, it is easy to only think about this pandemic by the terms of what it has taken away from you, and that is okay. In our case, we have just had a major milestone pulled out from under our feet. It is okay to be selfish right now and feel angry or frustrated. To our fellow seniors, it is okay to grieve the goodbyes we didn’t get to have. Walking across that stage was a symbol for so many of us that we were closing one chapter and beginning the next, but now that future seems hazy. In such uncertain times, we often zero in on what we cannot control and respond with our knee-jerk reactions. This time, however, is our opportunity to strengthen what we can control: our physical and mental well-being.

Now is the time to care for your immune system. Find unique ways to be physically active at home. Take time to virtually connect with friends, family and fellow seniors. Take time to look within. Feel the discomfort that uncertainty brings and allow yourself to release it. Allow yourself to grieve what should have been. Most of all, remain steadfast in your hope. Despite the uncertainty, we have the ability to take matters into our own hands by responding with compassion, hope and connectedness. 

Although we are physically distant from one another, the world’s responses are revealing how connected we truly are. Families are reaching out to each other and connecting virtually. Citizens worldwide are applauding the healthcare workers combatting the pandemic. Supermarkets have set aside hours for “senior-only” shopping time to protect older citizens. In these moments of hope, we see humanity coming together to work towards the common goal of restoring the world’s health. 

At the same time, we must acknowledge that even though distancing is the right thing to do, it doesn’t negate the pain we feel from this loss. For the class of 2020, this loss is especially substantial. Though our commencement ceremony will be quite unconventional in nature, we have a ceremony in December to look forward to. 

There will be an end to this pandemic, and when that end comes, we will be able to properly celebrate each of our accomplishments. Until then, there is no single or right way to find closure for the past four years. Do what feels right for you, and continue to connect with the professors and friends that have impacted us. We are not alone in this. May we come out of this time of chaos more connected, empathetic and resilient than ever. 

Eva Herron and Elizabeth Fernandez are seniors studying health promotion in the College of Arts and Sciences.

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