In the Face of Adversity Graduating Seniors Employ Fortitude

Graduating seniors share what new skills they’ve acquired and what strategies they’re applying to cross the graduation finish line. (Top left) Jackie Garcia, (Top middle) Elizabeth Medina, (Top right) Nico Gargiulo (Bottom left) Chris Amirbehboody (Bottom middle) Alfonso Henry (Bottom right) Brandon Darmiento

Nico Gargiulo lost one thing his senior year: “The deepest and funnest semesters of school a person has.” Gargiulo, a broadcast journalism major will graduate in December, virtually.

CSUN senior Nico Gargiulo staying motivated practicing kickboxing which he started when the pandemic hit. Photo credit Nico Gargiulo

Kickin it’ with graduating senior Nico Gargiulo. Nico mentioned kickboxing as a new skill he aquired this year. Photo credit Nico Gargiluo

College seniors like Gargiulo are approaching graduation, finishing out their undergraduate studies under contemporary arduous circumstances as plans seniors had for their undergrad farewell tour are dashed. Facing another full semester of virtual instruction, graduating seniors are encountering unforeseen emotions like frustration, anxiety, and depression. The Journal Of Medical Internet Research did a study of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of college students. Their study revealed from 195 students, that 138 or (71%) indicated increased stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Multiple stressors were identified that contributed to the increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive thoughts among students.

From the JMIR study showing the effects of COVID-19 on College Students’ Mental Health in the United States: Interview Survey Study Participants’ ratings on mental health aspects in an order of negative impacts (mild, moderate, and severe). Photo credit The Journal of Medical Internet Research

A laundry list of what seniors are losing can be quickly amassed; however, there may be life lessons and valuable skills graduating seniors are acquiring that will pay dividends long after they virtually graduate. It’s important to tell the stories of these graduating seniors because this group in particular will graduate into a recession that could take years to recover from. The silver lining for graduating seniors is they’re equipping their proverbial tool belts with a litany of skills: time and stress management, personal accountability, and perseverance. The above-mentioned will serve as advantageous in the next chapters of graduating seniors’ lives. Jackie Garcia noticed one emotion standing out. “I felt more frustrated this semester. I felt as if I was being bombarded by assignments and tests. Also, I’m a mother so having a 3-year-old is not easy when trying to attend class and get stuff done,” said Garcia a public relations major set to graduate in May 2021, virtually.

“Toucan play at that game.” CSUN senior Jackie Garcia with her daughter at a Pop Up exhibit at the Simi Town Center Mall in Simi Valley, CA. Garcia says her daughter is the one who helps her stay focused during her senior year because she wants a better future for the both of them. Photo credit Jackie Garcia

Outside their virtual classrooms there’s pandemic productivity happening and seniors are learning new skills. “A skill that I have developed this semester is making videos. I have developed this skill because I want to start up a YouTube channel soon. This is a good skill to have developed during this pandemic to not get bored because I love to keep myself busy,” said Alfonso Henry a broadcast journalism major set to graduate from CSUN in May 2021, virtually.

“Lights, Camera, Action.” Alfonso Henry’s YouTube channel serves as a platform for his school projects and creative endeavors. Henry mentioned that while this semester he’s losing the typical college experience, he discovered a new hobby, creating and editing videos. Photo credit Alfonso Henry

Alfonso Henry’s YouTube page, Henry is a Senior at CSUN with aspirations to work in sports media. Photo credit Alfonso Henry

Prioritizing assignments, mid terms, and finals are commonplace for college students, the key is personal agency and CSUN senior Chris Amirbehboody has established his own creative method during virtual instruction.”By using my planner that I have, I began using a schedule to physically write down a to-do list, keeping up with what has to be done. By checking off things from my list I stay motivated to keep going. Having my week planned out helps me stay accountable for the work that has to be done,” said Amirbehboody, a communications major set to graduate from CSUN in May 2021, virtually.

“Things don’t always go according to plan.” CSUN senior Chris Amirbehboody says he began using a schedule to physically write down a to-do list, keeping up with what has to be done. Amirbehboody mentions that checking off things from his list is how he stay’s motivated to keep going. Photo credit Chris Amirbehboody

Chris Amirbehboody’s credits staying afloat during virtual instruction to his planner. Photo credit Chris Amirbehboody

“We disguise escapism as a form of optimism.” says contemporary philosopher Alain de Botton. No matter how much we try, can anyone really escape a discombobulated senior year ? Broadcast journalism major Elizabeth Medina tries to include a form of self care in order to recalibrate. “Although I follow such a strict schedule, I also make sure to include one full day of self-care. I found that hiking and wildlife photography are the two distractions that reset my stress meter every week,” said Medina, a senior set to graduate from CSUN in May 2021, virtually.

“If something’s bothering you, shrub it off and go for a hike!” CSUN senior Elizabeth with her dogs at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, CA. Medina admits she follows a strict schedule, but also makes sure to include one full day of self-care. Photo credit Elizabeth Medina

A deer and fawn photographed by Elizabth Medina at Yosemite National Park in Yosemite, CA. Medina, a CSUN senior mentions wildlife photography as a distraction that helps reset her stress meter every week. Photo credit Elizabeth Medina

All plagues eventually end, most importantly they’ll be a social end to the pandemic at some point and we are going to see the other side of this. Maturity and wisdom are going to be required of us during our time in the crucible when this once-in-century event is occurring. A recognition of what is happening to us is critical and graduating seniors like CSUN’s Brandon Darmiento realizes despite the unique set of challenges during his senior year, there’s also tremendous personal growth occurring. “I think everyone will see individual growth, but myself specifically has learned to be much more organized and focused doing classes and classwork from my bedroom or dining room leaves so many distractions. Another lesson I’ve learned is try and separate work from home. As a journalist you are on call 24/7 in a way. I have tried to budget my time towards that work and make time at home where I don’t look at my laptop. Work / life balance is something that many working adults fail to do properly and it will be a good routine far beyond the pandemic,” said Darmiento a broadcast journalism major set to graduate in May 2021, virtually.

“Can’t spell legendary without leg day.” CSUN senior Brandon Darmiento says his daily motivation during virtual instruction starts with a morning workout in his garage. Darmiento mentioned that working out has become a way for him to start his day off strong. Photo credit Brandon Darmiento

There’s certain events that define a college seniors’ last year: grad fest, internships, senior practicum courses and most importantly commencement. While some of those events are not possible this year, earning a degree is. The college experience is represented in numerous ways. The forming of meaningful relationships, overcoming obstacles and unforgettable memories. In lieu of traditional graduation, seniors are creatively planing ways celebrate. Nicholas Gargiulo and Alfonso Henry plan on partying at home with their families. Elizabeth Medina plans on celebrating her milestone by hiking and backpacking in a giant national park with her family, which she says symbolizes freedom and the idea that she’s actually done with her undergrad journey. The seniors I interviewed embody success by waking up everyday and realizing there’s no easy way out. I’ve observed how college seniors are still finding ways to be successful, happy, strong, productive and good despite all the difficulties one faces during an unconventional senior campaign, and most are thriving amidst both adversity and prosperity.

Originally published at https://medium.com.