Graduating During COVID-19

Graduating from college is an exciting and overwhelming time. Especially overwhelming when you add a global pandemic into the mix. For many, including myself, graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of plans, from commencement to job hunting. I realized while I have been sharing my day-to-day on Instagram and stories, I haven’t fully shared my thoughts, feelings, and plans regarding finishing my time at Texas Christian University. And trust me… I have a lot of thoughts and feelings!

To the high school seniors…

My heart goes to the Class of 2020, but especially the high school seniors graduating in the midst of COVID-19. My senior year of high school was one of the best, and though many don’t miss high school, it was full of memories I cherish to this day. I am sad to know this year’s seniors did not experience their last year of high school in the ways they had hoped. This post is about my experience as a post-graduate during this time, but I didn’t want to go on without acknowledging the high school seniors in my life. And any who might read this! You are all amazing and this is such a special time, despite what is going on in the world. I hope you have time to celebrate with your families and friends (hopefully in-person very soon!).

My Last Two Months of College

My last two months of college looked far different than I ever imagined. I came home for spring break, excited to see my family for a week before finishing out senior year. I had been preparing for my graduation photos, my last formal, and celebrations with friends and family come May. But instead, the last stretch of spring semester was spent on Zoom, taking over my dad’s office, finishing up projects and papers I had hoped to complete in-person. It was also spent, as you all probably know, barely being able to leave my house or see my friends.

Another fun and exciting thing (note the sarcasm here) was moving all of my belongings from Texas to CA. Without actually being in Texas. My family and I decided traveling to Fort Worth before my lease was up was not an option. Not only for personal reasons but also because I live in a county that has had a SIP (shelter in place) order at the time. I’m sure other recent college grads, and actually anyone who is currently a college student, has had a difficult time navigating moving belongings from school to home – especially if you live states away like myself!

Thank goodness for Purple Heart Moving Group for packing up ALL of my things and my car. And for the millionth time, and definitely not the last, thank you to my best friend Megan and her amazing mama for overseeing the movers, shipping me my textbooks, and everything else they did to help. I truly would not have been able to do it without them!

‘Graduation’

‘Graduating’ itself, during COVID-19, was weird to say the least. Since TCU has postponed graduation and I was sheltered in place, there wasn’t much going on come ‘graduation’ day. It definitely felt anti-climatic, although still special, and I wonder if it will ever feel like I really graduated. Instead of writing in my cover letters that “I’m a senior at TCU” I’m now writing that “I recently graduated from TCU” – it just doesn’t feel real! Thank you to friends and family who did make it feel special, despite everything!

How I’m Feeling

The most devastating part of all of this for me is the fact that I left TCU, Fort Worth, my apartment, and most importantly my friends for the last time without knowing. Of course I plan to visit my friends, and I plan to go back to Fort Worth as soon as possible. But I had no time to prepare and I didn’t know it was goodbye goodbye. I thought I had two more months to brace myself for goodbye. Heck, I decided to pack light for the first time in my life! “I’ll only be gone a week,” I told myself! Never making that mistake again – as soon as we’re actually allowed to pack and go places again, of course.

Us college seniors/post-grads have truly been robbed of what was supposed to be some of our greatest college memories. Though TCU has postponed our commencement until August, I know many graduates will not get the chance to walk across that stage. It’s so hard to keep thinking of the things we never got to do. And I’m so hopeful my classmates and I will get to do those things in August (depending on COVID-19, of course). I know that there are bigger things happening in this world – what I, and other members of the Class of 2020 have lost is nothing compared what some have lost during this time as a result of COVID-19. But we are still allowed to be sad about the memories, events, and opportunities we will no longer experience, while also recognizing what is happening in the world.

Despite the sadness and frustration that comes graduating during COVID-19, I also believe that many things happen for a reason. I have seen so many small instances that have led me to appreciate the time I’ve spent at home. I know this isn’t possible for everyone, but I hope you can find peace and meaning in this time, even though you might not be where you thought you’d be in this season of life.

My Post-Graduate Plans

Ah, yes. The big question:

What are you doing now?

In some ways, exactly what I thought I’d be doing a month post-graduation. In other ways, not so much. I have known almost my entire college career that I would move back in with my parents after graduating. My time at TCU confirmed that while I appreciate the South – and there are so many things I do love about it – I am a California girl through and through. There’s something about the Bay Area that you just can’t find anywhere else. If you grew up here or have lived here for a while, I’m sure you know what I mean!

Another thing about the Bay Area you can’t find anywhere else? The high cost of living.

Which is why I’ve moved back in with my parents – thank you, Mom and Dad! My time at home may be longer than anticipated due to COVID-19, but who knows! In terms of a job, as I said on my stories recently, I’m looking but I’m not LOOKING.

But, I mean, if you know of any open entry level PR/Social Media/Digital Marketing positions… let a girl know.

I am so privileged to not need a job right this very second. I have the ability to take a bit of break and figure out what it is I want. What I’m focusing on now is online courses that will enhance my resume, since I have a lot of time at home. Plus, the job market is so crazy right now that I don’t think anyone expects any of us 2020 graduates to find employment on the spot. I plan to nanny for the summer while I continue to improve my skills and explore job opportunities.

I said this on my stories and I will say it again – all of us graduates are in different places right now, AND THAT’S OKAY! It’s great if you have a job, it’s great if you’re going to grad school, and it’s great if you’re like me and you just don’t know.

Be okay with where you’re at.

I, for one, feel like I’m floating a little bit. Some days, I’m totally cool with not aggressively applying to jobs and taking some time to relax at home. And other days I’m freaking out wondering if people will think less of me because I didn’t get a job the second I graduated. Some days I feel like I’m not doing what’s “expected” of me. Which is another way to say I feel like I’m not doing what I think that people are expecting of me.

This is something I’ve talked a lot about with my therapist, and I’ve come to realize it’s okay to have these ups and downs. I just have to remember that I am doing what’s best for me. And no one in my life expects anything different. So I hope that wherever you are, you’re okay with it. Actually, I hope you’re happy where you’re at. Graduating during COVID has been weird and confusing, and there’s no right place to be! We’ll get where we’re going eventually, and it will be great.

Helpful Resources

I hope this post has been helpful, but I also wanted to compile a list of books, speeches, etc. that might be helpful for those graduating during COVID-19!

• 2020 Graduates: Advice for Transitioning from College to the Real World + My Own Experience from Oh What a Sight to See
• #EntryLevelBoss by Alexa Shoen (this book is magic)
• Lean In for Graduates by Sheryl Sandberg (despite mixed reviews, I did find this book helpful – more on that in this post)
• Oprah’s Commencement Speech to Class of 2020
• A message from Bill & Melinda Gates to those graduating during COVID-19
• Michelle Obama’s 2020 Commencement Address
• Barack Obama’s Commencement Speech
• Schitt’s Creek “Dear Class of 2020” (I didn’t expect them to be in character which made this all the more fun!)

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What I hope you take away from this post, if you’re a fellow graduate, is that there’s no right way to feel. Or right place to be. Or anything like that before or after graduating during COVID-19. I feel for you, and I hope you feel better knowing there’s another college grad out here just as overwhelmed by all of it as you are. If you’re a fellow graduate, I’d love to know how you’re doing. Please feel free to comment here (or DM me or email me) about your experience – I would be so happy to chat!

Congratulations, Class of 2020!

And, in the wise words of Elle Woods…

We did it!

xx, c