By Ellerese Topacio ’20
Managing Editor
Graphic Credit: The New York Times
When the last semester of my college adventure started in January, I immediately flipped the hourglass, just waiting for the time to run out until I could finally walk at graduation and obtain the degree I’ve worked so hard for. Classes functioned normally as always, with the usual exams, essays, and high expectations. I had a plethora of scheduled opportunities to present my work this semester. From having been selected to present at the Student Symposium to defending my senior thesis in front of my committee members, friends, and family, I think it is appropriate to say that my last semester at Lake Forest College was booked. Meanwhile, a virus originating from China circulated in the news around January. I am quite sure that not many people paid attention to it, at first. Some were intrigued, at the very least, but most people were not at all anticipating the havoc it would wreak several weeks after the announcement of its discovery.
Then, mid-semester break came around. I could feel the weight of a million elephants be lifted off my shoulders knowing that I had a full week to rebound from a high-strung first half of the semester. Fast forward a few days into break and BAM. COVID-19 became a reality. At first, we received news that the break would be extended for a few days more. Naturally, I rejoiced. But then COVID-19 continued to spread and watching news coverage of our country’s reaction to the virus was my only assignment. The confines of my home served as my classroom and Dr. Anthony Fauci as my professor. When I received the news that the rest of the semester was “cancelled” and would transition to remote instruction, I was initially relieved. Preparing for my academic obligations was certainly an honorable achievement, but it was also an extremely stressful endeavor.
Yet as time progressed, the severity of COVID-19 escalated, and the fact that everything was put at a halt was no longer amusing. My emotions shifted from passive to devastated. The grave implications of COVID-19 were not something to be taken lightly anymore. This situation is like a terrible nightmare that has quickly crept into the realm of real life. What was initially a playful reception of the social effects of the disease transformed into a scenario that shows you should never take things for granted.
I am a graduating senior. I will never get to attend classes at rickety old Young Hall again, walk the meandering sidewalks to the library, or attempt to park my car in the narrowest (and hardest to find!) parking spaces on Earth. It is easy to dismiss these activities as mundane features of everyday life when there is not a looming, dangerous virus about to snatch them away from you. What we all can only hope is that life will eventually go back to normal.
