Lessons Learned: Quarantined to Qualified
The last 14 months brought a multitude of challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. From shifting to online and hybrid course formats to quarantining and toilet paper shortages, the class of 2021 has experienced a plethora of trials along the way. It’s through these experiences that graduates have learned important lessons that will carry with them.
Six students graduating in May shared with us what some of their biggest lessons learned through this pandemic.
Looking back on your senior year during a pandemic, what was the biggest lesson you learned?
The biggest lesson I learned was to not take anything for granted because it can be taken away in a heartbeat.
- Oris Granger
“It was very difficult to complete assignments without being able to go to the art department. We would spend so many countless hours in the studio creating our projects and once we had to stay home, I really learned what it could be like to have my own studio space at home. I got very creative with how to use my tiny table to create big artwork! This past semester, I student taught at a nearby school. There, I couldn’t tell you how many things I learned! It was an invaluable experience for me. And going through that during a pandemic really helps you see the hard work of a teacher.”
- Brooke Tant
"Having my senior year during a pandemic has been one of the hardest challenges for me, and it reminded me that communication and networking are crucial in education. As an ASL major, I had to stay connected online with apps and video calls to practice signing and get help with assignments."
- Alex Whitney
"With the pandemic, the biggest lesson I have learned is that one has to learn to adapt to change. Looking back during my senior year, I was faced with many challenging changes. One of those was working from home during my engineering internship and also taking online classes at Lamar University. This had been my first time doing all of this, so it was pretty nerve-wracking. Although with the help of professors and Lamar faculty, they made the transition to online go very smoothly. Those are lessons that will be carried on, even upon graduation."
- Christian Chavez
“Looking back at my senior year, I have learned that I am passionate about being successful, and success doesn’t come without hard work. I have learned to be grateful, to work hard and to never give up and not even the pandemic can stop me.”
- Dominique Leh
"The first half of my senior year was spent in my room attending online classes, which made me realize just how important a schedule/routine is. Creating a schedule that I would follow every day helped me get all of my assignments done and turned in early. My second half of senior year was spent student teaching inside a public school in Southeast Texas, which taught me to cherish the little things in life and just how important learning is for all ages."
- Jessi Lavergne