College in America is one of the last stages in which everyone is able to live in a collective community before going their own separate ways. It is a weird and scary concept to think about at the moment. I, for one, am terrified to think what's next for me since I've lived and thrived in this community environment. However, I still possess a bittersweet sense of hope for me and the overall future of our generation.
As a junior in college who is still living at their parents’ house — a situation which gives off the vibes of high school — I feel as though I am once again in a duel of fate for my life. I use this term in reference to the 1999 Star Wars movie The Phantom Menace. I use this term loosely, and I use it because it reminds me of all the possibilities and battles that exist for us to experience. These always link back to our fate. I feel so lost at times because my peers seem as though they have everything set and ready to go, whether they are pursuing law school or medical school, going into research or joining the workforce. As someone who has read a little too much of Karl Marx throughout the pandemic and done a lot of self reflecting as to what brings me joy, I am not really sure if these “direct” paths are for me.
To clarify, I want these "direct" paths to be for me, but I am not certain if it is meant for me. I believe this is something that a lot of people are experiencing during this time. We have learned so much about the world and the societal structures that we currently live in to the point that it has almost blocked (or on the other hand, expanded) our views. With college coming to an end for students in the Classes of 2021 and 2022, many may feel like they are twiddling their thumbs in anticipation for all that the world has to offer. COVID-19 has certainly brought about change, and this includes personal development. New views on the world have emerged, and there may be some hesitation toward sharing these ideas with others. This timidity may often be seen as a bad thing, but it gives me hope as well.
It gives me hope because I consistently try to view circumstances as an opportunity for society to grow and better previous norms. The next 10 class generations will have the memory of this pandemic, as well as remember the ways that American society failed its members, primarily those affected by its negligence. I hope that we can all consider these failures so that society can be significantly improved for the better. As for me, my next big step is to just graduate and to keep embracing the moments I have left with everyone here at Meredith. It may sound basic, but it is all about taking things day by day thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. What remains most important is that the Classes of 2021 and 2022 follow the advice of Nova Scotia from “The Trailer Park Boys”: "Take the way of the road, the way of the road."
By Sofia Gomez, Podcasting Director