Letter to the class of 2020
To the graduating class of 2020,
If you were set to graduate from high school, college, university, or any other program this year, this letter is for you.
You’ve probably been looking forward to this moment for a while. Whether you’re the type who was genuinely excited or the type who just wanted to get it over with, this pandemic has stuck you with a lack of closure and a bunch of loose ends to tie up on your own.
Suddenly you’re faced with the realization that you won’t get to hug your teachers, professors, classmates and friends, or walk across the stage filled with a buzzing mix of excitement and terror. It’s not fair, and don’t listen to anyone who tries to tell you it is.
Sure, you can understand the importance of socialdistancing requirements and safety precautions, and even agree that cancelling graduation ceremonies was the right call. But that doesn’t take away your right to be mad, upset, or some combination of the two. The fact that there are “other things to worry about” right now doesn’t erase the reality that this is a significant moment in your life and it hurts to have it taken away. Own that.
I’m not here to offer you advice on how to enter the job market in the middle of a pandemic, or tell you that everything will be OK. What I am here to say is damn, the fact that you’re pushing through this deserves even more celebration than the act of graduating itself and you should know that. You got dealt a crappy hand and now you’re stuck trying to do the best you can with it.
What I won’t say is something I’m sure you’ve been hearing non-stop since all of this began: “We need you.” “The world needs you.” No pressure, right? Your lives have been turned upside down and it’s OK to focus on taking care of yourself rather than worrying about your contribution to saving the world.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge first-generation graduates specifically. For you, taking this step may have been even more special than it is to the average graduate. Please don’t let the lack of ceremony take away from your incredible achievements. When it all comes down to it, putting on a gown and shaking hands isn’t what makes you a graduate, the work you put in to get here does.
I hope each of you takes comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. Share your stories with one another and throw one hell of a party when this is all over. You’ve earned it. Even though we can only clink our glasses through a Zoom screen, you still deserve all the celebration and recognition you’ve earned by fighting your way to this moment. Cheers to you!