“The last few months of our youth, where we could still remain children, before starting university were snatched away from us. It left many of us feeling cheated by the universe, and angry at everything we never got to experience,” shares Simran Zaveri, an 18-year-old who recently completed her Class 12 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
To better understand the tumultuous feelings and emotions that the Class of 2020 is going through, Simran shares her distinctive experience of the year that has been, her tryst with online education, meeting friends through zoom, and being part of an online farewell class amidst several other things.
1. How are you feeling with all that the pandemic has thrown upon us?
To be perfectly honest, lately, I have been feeling angry. The last few months were supposed to be some of my best. I was supposed to finish my exams in a triumph and then spend the rest of the summer forming unforgettable memories with my friends. Instead, my time in Mumbai was confined in my house, staring longingly at the city from my window. I know that I am luckier than most as I have a roof over my head, and food on my table. There’s a part of me that feels my anger and bitterness at what I never got to experience isn’t relevant compared to what others are facing. But another part of me knows it’s okay to mourn the experiences that I’ve been looking forward to for twelve years. Overall, I just feel a quiet sadness in the entire situation.
2.Now that you finished your Class 12, you must have got a farewell? Was it a virtual farewell? How was your experience?
It was heartwarming to see all my friends and teachers again, even though it was through a screen. But still, it did make my spirits drop a little. We were meant to be wearing a cap and gown, and striding across a large stage. Instead, we were seated in our own living rooms. But it wasn’t all that sad. My classmates and I exchanged stories about our school days that made people both laugh and cry. We heard from our teachers and principal. So while it wasn’t as extravagant as actual graduation, the central principle was the same: celebrating the class of 2020.
3.So what’s next? You will be starting your University online? How are you feeling about it?
I will try not to cry while answering this one. I’ve been waiting to attend university for years, after watching countless teen movies where the protagonist goes off to university to start their new life. And the first semester is supposed to be the most fun, where you meet new people, and explore campus. Unfortunately for me and millions of other students, our first semester will be spent at home, learning through the computer. For health and safety concerns, many international students will need to study online for a while. While I understand this is essential, it does make me too bitter for someone my age. I try not to feel too upset, but I lost my chance at graduation, and then I lost my chance at the perfect first semester at university.
4. You also mentioned your friends. How has it been apart from them? What are the alternative ways where you are trying to hang out?
It has been terrible not being able to see my friends all this time. It’s a shocking difference when I go to see them seven hours a day for seven years without seeing them for months. It’s different than when you’re on vacation because I know my friends are right here in the city with me but I can’t go see them. But still, my friends and I try to keep in touch. FaceTime is an absolute must. But apart from that, we have been trying to keep ourselves occupied, trying to do fun things. There was a time when we organized an online Housie. We created the little cards and sent one to everyone and then used an app for the number calling. We played over zoom and it was incredibly fun. We keep trying to do little activities like that, and so it doesn’t always feel like my friends are far away.
5. Amidst the lockdown, your education moved online. What are your experiences with online education? Do you like it?
This is a difficult question to answer. I know there is no alternative to online studies. There’s always a syllabus to finish. But at the same time, I absolutely despise learning online. Personally, I have a mind that likes to wander. I often jump from thought to thought, making it hard to really focus. When I attended in-person classes, I had hardly any distractions in class. I could easily focus on the material being taught, but with online classes, I simply find it too difficult to listen. Also, one of the best parts of going to school and learning is doing it with your friends. You get to have fun with your classmates as you learn but in an online school, you see nothing of your friends except their blank faces on little squares. Plus, online school isn’t fair to those who don’t have the means to attend.
6. What is your take on the education inequalities around us especially for those children who cannot afford a laptop or a mobile phone to attend an online class?
This pandemic is going to leave a lot of students without the means to access their schooling. I was lucky enough to go to a school that has the means to organize online classes and I’m lucky enough to live in a home where I have a laptop and Internet connection. But many schools, teachers and students don’t have that luxury. Many brilliant students are going to be left behind in the race of education because they couldn’t access, or continue their education online. I’m not going to pretend I know what the government should do, but I do believe that they should figure out a way to assist these students to continue education during the pandemic because if they don’t we could potentially lose some very bright individuals.
7. What are thoughts and plans for the coming months?
Right now the world is suffering through loss and despair. While I’m sad that I lost the last few months of my senior year, and that I lose my graduation and even my first semester of university, I’m still going with the whole ‘there’s always a silver lining.’
Sure, we’ve had it rough, but my eyes are fixed on the horizon, to when this pandemic is over. I can always make up the months I lost with my friends. We’ll always be returning to Mumbai for Christmas and summer. We can make more memories then. Maybe I didn’t get to walk across the stage in High School, but you can bet that in four years’ time I am going to be walking across the graduation stage at my university. Things look bleak now, and I get that. But I know in my heart it’s going to get better.
