Q: Senior year is close to an end and I need some type of closure. Most of my friends are going to college out of state and there’s a very small chance for us to meet up and have one last goodbye. Unfortunately, we can’t see each other in person because of Corona. Have any ideas?
X says: We all dreamed of walking down the stage with the people we’ve known for four years. We all wanted to throw our caps in the air, take countless pictures, and see the proud smiles of our teachers who have been there for us through thick and thin. We yearned for prom and more senior events. Unfortunately, it was all taken away from us before we even realized it.
Since most of my friends are going out of state as well, I know how you feel. There won’t be a proper graduation for the resilient Class of 2020, but that doesn’t stop you from having closure. You can try to FaceTime your friends and just talk about how these past four years have been a ride. Talk about the good and bad times and reflect upon each other’s growth throughout the years. As corny as it sounds, it will surely help in releasing your built-up tension.
Although it’s always better to see friends in person and to know that they’re physically in your presence, seeing your friends through a screen is better than not seeing them at all—and will help you to get closure.
Once the lockdown is lifted, hopefully, we’ll all get to greet our friends, celebrate our accomplishments, and catch up with each other’s lives.
Q: Dear XYZ: Before the lockdown, my friends and I would hang out around the city all the time. Now, thanks to the lockdown, I can only FaceTime, call, and text them. When we have nothing to do except talk with each other, it can sometimes get a bit dull. Are there any ways that we can make staying connected more interesting?
Y replies: I can definitely relate to your question. During this time, when the weather is starting to get hotter, my friends and I would usually hang out around in the city. We would walk in the parks, visit museums, eat delicious food, and more. Due to the lockdown, our hangouts have changed. We first started doing FaceTimes, calls, and texts. However, with these few activities, both you and I can make the friendship hangouts more fun!
1. Movie Night—Nothing sounds better than watching a movie and adding commentary to it. Some streaming sites, like Netflix, allow you to watch the same movie as a group. You and your friends can watch a Lifetime, Hallmark, or a random funny movie and discuss scenes that don’t make sense or are easily avoidable in real life situations. You can also watch interesting documentaries and talk about why the director chose to do the scene that way. Either way, whatever movie you choose may have an endless amount of commentary and fun moments.
2. Concerts— I know this is going to sound lame, but you and your friends can hold stay-at-home concerts. You can impress your friends with your angelic singing voice, or you can just play the songs from your favorite artists. Some musical artists are performing from their homes. You and your friends can just vibe with the music.
3. Video Games— Is there any better way to hang out with friends than through video games? You and your friends can find a game where everyone can play at the same time.
4. Cooking—You and your friends can try out cooking different types of cuisines. You can make the same dish at the same time and see which one comes out the best. This also helps you to learn how to prepare foods from cultures around the world.
I hope that these activities can help make your online hang outs more interesting!
Q: My freshman year of college will arrive in a blink of an eye. Do you have any tips on how to survive through my freshman year?
Z replies: First day of college. You’re back all the way to the bottom, and you have entered a new environment. No worries! Here’s a few tips for first-year college students:
1. Make your classes your top priority. As an incoming college student, you’ve got to be thinking about all kinds of opportunities that will emerge. You’ll have more independence and probably think about all kinds of exciting things that college has to offer. Never forget that college is about academics. Stay on top of your academics, and other opportunities will follow.
2. Level up your studying methods. The exams will be much more challenging and believe it or not, you’ll be receiving exams very quickly. You should study an extraordinary amount for every exam. Study each material thoroughly. Don’t even bother cramming your studies the day before the exam.
3. Put your phone away. Times have changed and pretty much everyone is addicted to their phones. Your professor will be unhappy to see you looking down at your phone during class. when a student is on the phone during class, the professor will have a hard time concentrating, and all the students in the class suffer as a result.
4. Take an active approach to your classes. You (or someone) are paying a ton of money for you to be there. The classroom community belongs to everyone in there, so don’t be afraid to speak up in class. If you have any questions, raise your hand and ask for clarification. The entire class will benefit as a result. And your professor will probably be happy to have guidance that will help facilitate the learning process.
5. Don’t ever let yourself be intimidated by your professor. Your professor is there to help you. Not just to help you learn, but also to help you develop the skills needed to succeed in your future. So while professors can sometimes seem a little intimidating, realize that at the end of the day, this person is here to help you develop. See your professor as your advocate.
That being said…you got this! The fact that you got into college in the first place is a wonderful achievement and shows you have extraordinary potential.