I remember it clearly when COVID-19 struck the United States unexpectedly. I was finally back at home in Chicago packing up for my spring break trip to Miami with my sister, when along came good ol' COVID-19. Headlines bombarded my phone with news that several states have gone on lockdown, with restaurants, beaches, and shops closing down. At first I was at disbelief that one virus could shut down a whole country so quickly. I was shocked to see how fast it spread, how dangerous it was affecting people, and how it caused so many deaths. My Miami trip was cancelled...and soon after so was I. 

​

Every day I received a new email from my chancellor updating students and their families on if and when we can return to class after spring break to finish the rest of the semester. I don't think I have ever checked my email so many times in a day in my life. I felt anxious, with so many thoughts running through my mind. After a few weeks the news came that graduation was cancelled. This news sparked waves of rage from student's parents, with petitioning for graduation to be rescheduled saying that this is not fair to the class of 2020, which I agreed with. 

​

As weeks went by, I sat in front of my TV every day at 5:30pm to listen to David Muir speak about the pandemic, COVID-19. Not being in Champaign felt so weird to me, and I kept thinking how my life changed so fast. You know, you only graduate college once and the fact that I wouldn't be able to walk across the stage, with my family in the stands and my abuelita watching me walk crushed my heart. I felt even more heartbroken knowing that some of my friends, who are first generation students, would not be able to feel the achievement of walking and graduating from one of the best universities. 

​

​

 

Graduating during COVID-19 is not easy. A wave of discouragement passed by the class of 2020 college graduates. Not only was the rest of our senior year cut short, our lives changed forever. Applying for jobs has become harder for us, switching to online learning to make sure you complete every detail to graduate became such a burden, our summer internships we worked hard for cancelled, jobs closing their applications, and most of all, not getting the proper goodbye from our senior year. To some people, it may not seem like a big deal that us graduates couldn't stay on campus for the remaining months, but to me it was. 

​

Champaign was a second home to me. I still remember the first day I moved into my dorm to the first day I went back to my apartment back in August 2019 to finish off my last year of college. Not to be dramatic buttt...these past 4 years were the best times of my life. I have learned so much about myself and who I want to be during these 4 years, and had been blessed with such amazing friends who helped me along the way. I had to learn hard life lessons, such as being on academic probation my freshman year, and challenged myself to strive in my classes. I learned that not everyone you meet has the best intentions for you, but you will find the people who are meant to be in your life. I experienced heartbreak, with comfort from my friends reminding me that I always have to put myself and my aspirations first. All these life lessons wrapped up in 4 years in Champaign, and looking back I am grateful for the experience. 

​

​

​

To shed some light: on May 16th, 2020 I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I celebrated in a way that I will never forget. My family and I decided to have our own graduation celebration in our home, with balloons, brunch, cake, and of course a photoshoot (I mean, what girl can say no to that??). On a day where it is supposed to be full of celebration and happiness, I couldn't help but feel some sadness. It didn't feel like I graduated, it felt like another day. 

​

Graduating in the times of COVID-19 is a moment in history that no one will forget, surely I won't. But, during this hectic time I am proud to be part of the graduating class of 2020 and our strong will to keep our faces up, when times might not be right now. 

​