March 13 marks one year since East Chapel Hill High School closed due to COVID-19. This week we’ll post columns from five students reflecting on the past year. This is 4 to 365.
One year ago, little sophomore Eloise would be really, really sad to be working from home. I don’t remember too much about in-person school, as it’s become an oddly foreign concept, but I do remember smiling at my friends in the hall, sharing food and drinks at lunch (which is really a disgusting practice now and I don’t know if I ever will do that again) and more than anything else, I remember class discussions.
With class discussion came those weird little friendships I had with people, interactions with people that I would look forward to every day, but never text them, let alone hang out with them, outside of class. These discussions and relationships aren’t at all easily replicated online.
I hadn’t thought too much of the weird friendships with people in classes until last week, in my AP U.S. History class. Five or so of us were put in a breakout room to discuss some political cartoons and various terms from our weekly reading. We finished early, though, just because it was a group of us who worked together and equally contributed, a concept I can’t say I’m privy to in most breakout rooms.
I’m not sure what got the ball rolling, but we started to talk about the recent ACT, and that melded into talking about online college tours and our future standardized testing pursuits. It was refreshing to talk to peers doing the same thing as me, to hear about their trials and tribulations with online tours and to hear that they’re being persistent, just as I am.
Sophomore year Eloise didn’t have the time to give more than just a thought to college. She was up to her neck in assignments, her theatre company and fencing. She didn’t have free time to take care of herself or see her friends; instead, she did her homework. Constantly.
While me one year ago needed those connections with classmates to maintain a social life, I somehow have more free time in my infamous junior year than I did last year. I’ve learned to let go. I’ve learned to be even more productive, which is somewhat ironic considering that I have more time than I used to do my work.
Maybe the pandemic slapped some reality in me. Whatever it was, my mindset changed and it changed for the better. I’m very fortunate that one of the biggest losses I’ve experienced during the pandemic is missing class discussions.
I know that not everyone can look on the bright side—others’ parents have lost jobs, relatives have gotten sick from COVID and some students are having to care for their families during classes.
I like to call my own shots. Online school turned out to be a better environment for me. It’s better for me not to be drowning in seven classes each day, the thought itself seeming overwhelming now, and I’m sure few would disagree with me on that. I miss my classmates and talking to them, sure, but it’s a lot nicer to be able to see my friends on days that aren’t just the weekend too.
