Summary: The author reflects on their experience with COVID-19, acknowledging the serious impact it has had on the world while also considering their own personal growth and maturation. They recount how the pandemic disrupted their high school and teenage experience, leading to periods of feeling alone and missing out. However, they also recognize the positive aspects of this time, such as spending more time with family, exploring new hobbies, and achieving personal milestones. The author acknowledges that their reflection on COVID-19 is incomplete, but they embrace the uncertainty of the future and look forward to continued growth.

Takeaways:

🌍 The pandemic has had a significant impact on the world, bringing both challenges and opportunities for personal growth.

😔 It's normal to feel a range of emotions during difficult times, but it's important to find moments of positivity and joy.

💪 Embrace the changes and uncertainties that come with challenging situations, and use them as opportunities for self-discovery and personal development.

📚 Take advantage of extra time at home to explore new hobbies, read more books, or pursue personal interests.

🎻 Find creative ways to adapt and continue pursuing your passions, even in a virtual or socially distanced setting.

🎓 Reflect on your personal growth and achievements, and celebrate the milestones you've reached, regardless of the circumstances.

🌟 Keep an open mind and embrace the unknown, as it can lead to new and unexpected opportunities for the future.

Reflection on COVID-19

A Life-Changing Experience

In a very me-like fashion, I am typing this very reflection while repeating one specific song and avoiding my schoolwork. Nonetheless, this has been a very common occurrence for me throughout what we call the pandemic, one that I can say has changed the very course of my life.

My Personal Journey

Excluding the more serious aspect of the deaths that the pandemic has brought the world, I’ll truthfully take a look at COVID-19 through my own experience, which I’ll admit has contributed a hefty amount of teenage angst and maturation.

From Grade 10 to University

It started in Grade 10. I remember doing my exams for the first semester while the beginning news of COVID-19 began wavering out. What started as a two-week break … well, now I am a first-year university student! Can’t believe it. Still don’t know how I got here if I’m being honest.

The Power of Reflection

It’s interesting, I’ve always been fascinated about the thought of reflecting on the person of your past. I am a very nostalgic person, always have been, and so it makes sense for me to feel a little, what’s the word, reminiscent, as I look back.

Difficulties and Opportunities

COVID-19 has been difficult. I will say that. There have been periods where I honestly was not at my best, where I felt alone, missing out on the high school and teenage experience. I missed my friends as I isolated myself at home and slowly drifted from daily life. You’ll even hear me now blaming COVID-19 for my lack of a romantic relationship (yes, you’re allowed to laugh).

But I also know that I’d be a bit untruthful if I were to say that I hated it. That I could pin all my misfortunes on the pandemic only.

Personal Growth

I have grown in more ways than I could have imagined, even if that means just staying in my room and discovering myself. I spent more time with my brother; I read 10 times more books than I would have; I succumbed to TikTok; I bought a longboard only for it to now sit in our garage.

Unconventional, sure, but I started a club in the pandemic, balancing both online and in-person events as our school board switched from hybrid to quadmesters to hybrid again. I did my level 8 violin exam through Zoom, which I can’t promise sounded pleasing for the examiner, but I passed nonetheless! I got report cards back, one after another, then came time for university applications, figuring it all out myself at home, then the whirlwind of graduation, of Prom, of a driver’s licenses, all at once … and now … I’m here.

A Continuing Journey

It’s impossible for me to fit my thoughts on COVID-19 in 500 words, so I’ll end it now. My reflection is rather incomplete, I know, but it seems fitting, no? To me, COVID-19 meant more like how I have grown, and since I am continuously changing every day, then I guess I’ll just have to see where I end up tomorrow …