When I was younger, I romanticized the idea of college to an extreme. Escaping the quietness
and uniformity of my typical suburban town and moving to a city where endless exploration
and rich diversity flourish became a tempting possibility. All throughout high school, I
mechanically fulfilled my responsibilities as a student and in the twinkling of an eye, the college
application process approached. During that period of college searching, I set off as a futurist,
building a vision for myself for post-high school graduation. This resulted in me applying early
decision to Northeastern where I knew they offered the opportunities that would allow me to
embark on a journey leading to an enriched education, self-discovery, and growth.
My freshman year was more or less what I expected. In order to achieve the glamorized ideals
of college life, I abandoned my introversion and looked at things with rose-colored glasses.
From going on midnight excursions to Dumpling Palace on Mass Ave and last-minute runs to
the Stetson East dining hall with new friends to having deep and meaningful dialogues with
random students both in and out of class, approaching everything with a willing mindset
became nearly instinctive.
Although I personally was able to undergo a typical freshman experience during my first
semester, COVID-19 mercilessly put a halt to everyone’s lives at the start of the spring season.
From that moment on, we were forced to exercise the inherent but yet challenging human
ability to adapt, whether that be physically, socially, mentally, or emotionally.
The fall semester has begun and I am currently on campus in Boston attempting to adapt to the
new norms as well as transition into my second year. I often yearn the things I took for granted
last year such as the thrill of not knowing what’s next and the growing eagerness to meet new
people. It’s safe to say that the different versions of our lives that we are living now are layered
with disappointment and anxiousness. However, I found that what has been able to combat the negative feelings arising from this time of drastic uncertainty is establishing a routine.
Making my bed, brewing coffee, and checking my emails have become vital steps to my
morning routine. In addition to setting the tone and pace for the rest of the day, my morning routine reminds me that every day will be a productive one.
Staying hydrated, working out, FaceTiming my family, planning out my meals, and using the
calendars on my devices are all a part of my daily routine that I complete in no strict order.
Created with the intention of self-prioritization, these routinely habits do so much more than
that. They provide me with both short-term and long-term security in the sense that no matter
how different things become, I will always have something constant in my life. Furthermore,
self-care serves as a cushion to lean back on whenever you lose touch of yourself, your
motivation, and your goals. Especially during this time of significant change, it is essential to
prioritize yourself and your mental health. Whether you are a student or adult in the workforce,
try building up a routine on your own accord, and see where that takes you. You might discover
even greater stability in yourself and with other relationships in your life. (Most importantly,
stay safe and healthy during this pandemic!)
