(Publisher’s Note: Members of Linsly’s Class of 2020 offer their reflections on what has been anything but a typical end to their senior year of high school. With the future of senior activities, including prom, graduation, and senior week still uncertain, Linsly seniors are making the best of their final semester at Linsly and offer their reflections in this series of essays.)
Adjusting to Online Learning & Staying Motivated
Being out of the classroom and in our homes has been an adjustment for all students across the country. For me, it has definitely been a different experience from anything in my past seven years at Linsly. I have found difficulty in staying focused and motivated throughout my adjusted school day. In order to stay organized and on top of all my work, I try to stick to a strict schedule every day. At the beginning of the week, I write down what I have for each of my classes and make a to-do list for each day of the week. This includes notes I have to take, due dates for homework, and any tests I may have. Staying organized is very important for me to make sure I get all my work done on time. It is not always easy to stay motivated at home, so I try to do my schoolwork first. This prompts me to get my work out of the way so I can do activities I enjoy for the rest of the day.
Keeping Busy with Dancing, Painting, and Art
To keep myself busy, I have been taking online dance classes, painting, and spending extra time on my work for my advanced ceramics class. I have enjoyed being able to control my schedule and how much time I spend on each class depending on how well I understand the information. However, being at home has many more distractions than being in a classroom, so it takes a lot of discipline to keep myself focused. I believe I am still learning, despite being out of school, thanks to the dedication of my teachers who have done all they can to make sure we are understanding the material. I am very appreciative of all my teachers who have done whatever they can to help us, from hosting Google Meets and Zooms to holding discussions on Schoology.
Appreciating the Small Things & A Sense of Community
I miss a lot about going to school. It is definitely weird not seeing my friends and teachers in the halls every day. I think this time has definitely made students and teachers appreciate the smaller aspects of being in school. The ability to ask questions when you are confused about the material is such a small thing that I never thought would be taken from students. It is strange to me how seniors across the country are missing out on so much in their last quarter of high school. I can only imagine how hard it must be for seniors who are missing the last season of their spring sport. I think it has definitely made us all recognize the things we took for granted, and I am certain we all miss the Linsly traditions that occur in the fourth quarter. There is an overwhelming sense of community at Linsly that is irreplaceable outside of school. I know this is definitely not how seniors imagined spending our last quarter of high school. I am still hopeful that we will be able to come back to have a prom and a graduation which are events we have been looking forward to all year. I think it is important to try to stay positive during this time. Despite missing my teachers and friends, I am glad I am able to spend more time with my parents and siblings before I move away in the fall. I am thankful that my family and friends are healthy, and my heart goes out to those who are sick or have lost loved ones. I am grateful for health-care workers across the country who have risked a lot to help keep us safe.
