How the Pandemic Has Affected My Life

Today is a day that has looked like many others. With notable exceptions over the past couple of months, each of my days seem to be the product of some formulaic concoction. Most notably, it is amid an unprecedented and alarming news cycle. On a personal level, today involves staying at home and attending various virtual meetings. While there will eventually be a tomorrow that is significantly different, I have come to appreciate the reflection this time has provided.

The news cycle is one of many that has been either caused or exacerbated by the pandemic. If all the world is a stage, then Covid-19 seems to be the inescapable backdrop. It is the singular painting on the back wall at a low-budget, expectedly disappointing theatrical play. But is it a tragedy? For myself, it is a bildungsroman; a coming-of-age performance with little dialogue and subtle exposition. During a year with enough extraordinary events to last a lifetime, I found myself evolving over many days like today.

Perhaps most interesting about this year is that it was filled with opportunities that were only possible because of the pandemic. While news of cancelled internships continuously came in, my classmates and I looked for other ways to thrive. Some of us had articles published in the Wall Street Journal, others organized and facilitated protests, and more still were interviewed by publications such as, The New York Times and TIME Magazine. This inexhaustible motivation to capture and record our experiences was inspirational. I was fortunate to be able to rely on friends and family while processing some of the more emotional events. There were many twists and turns in each of our narratives and we remain eager to move the plot forward.

The breaks between semesters are often periods of reflection for college students. This past summer was no exception. If anything, the inability to venture outside with friends and spend time doing absolutely nothing in various places meant I had to spend a lot of time with myself. I had the opportunity to pursue a passion of mine while reevaluating my prospective life choices. This passion was funded by a research grant and took place at the intersection of law and economics. Learning more about business law led me to consider careers adjacent to corporate litigation and the different ways I could one day contribute to the general field.

As someone who experienced this epic slow down during a time in life when everything ought to be fast-paced and exciting, the chance to reflect has allowed me to further develop my own perspective. It is now one of thoughtful consideration. I have considered the many paths in front of me and have cast a wide net on where I intend to settle, while keeping my mind open to things of which I am not yet aware. As I continue to experience more and more todays in this life of mine, I choose to look at obstacles and turn them into opportunities.