Everyone is going through a lot: Be kind

So far this quarter of school has been the most difficult year I’ve had, and its not even October- a feeling I am sure other Central students can relate to. When the pandemic started in March of 2020, I was in the second semester of my freshman year. While my first semester had been a challenge, by second semester, I had a routine established, and genuinely felt good about school.

Then everything changed. An early start to summer may have sounded positive at first, but quickly became negative. Those were valuable months of material that I am expected to know in my current classes as a junior. I can also definitively say I didn’t do much learning last year either. With most tests online, and open note I was unmotivated to study, because I knew I could use my resources when it came time to take summative exams, a choice that is ultimately costing me a lot now.

Currently I am a student at the start of her junior year who hasn’t had a full normal year of high school. I can only imagine what other grade levels are going through. I’m sure freshman are just as stressed, with their first year of high school starting after not having a true middle school experience. Sophomores who had a completely irregular start at Central, and Seniors who missed out on valuable experiences, who will all be gone come May. With most tests closed notes, and grades actually counting this year, I know I am not the only stressed student. The unfamiliarity with students behavior, is not comforting to anyone at all. It’s a fair assessment to say everyone in the building is on edge.

Considering the challenges that I and others at Central are facing, remember to be kind! Be kind to yourself, we are all trying our best! Be kind to your teachers the pandemic has affected them just as much as it has affected you! Be kind to others, not everyone is actively trying to make your life harder, if we all tried to understand each other, so many problems this year is bringing could be solved. There is no need to make high school harder than it needs to be, we all have bad days. Being gracious with yourself and others is what prevents a few bad days into turning into a bad life. So be kind!