In light of the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world, many high school and college seniors have found out that their senior years are coming to a close in a very different way from any other graduating class. High schoolers have had their senior proms cancelled, college seniors won’t get to say goodbye to professors and mentors in person, and the graduating classes won’t get the prideful moment of walking across the stage to receive their diploma.

While it may be hard to focus on the positive, especially since it’s a very unfair situation that’s unique to the classes of 2020, all you can do right now is take it one day at a time. I know that this time is confusing for you and it’s something no one has ever dealt with and probably will deal with in a lifetime, but here are some things I have seen. 

Many schools across the country have taken the time to share videos from some high school and college seniors about the things they missed from their senior year. Lake Nona High School was one of these schools across the country that participated and published a video to the high school class of 2020 by the high school class of 2020 on YouTube. This virus may have taken away the fun activities and socialization that characterizes senior year, but it made students come together to show the unbroken spirit of the high school and college seniors. Recognize that you guys worked together to make those videos, and encourage those who are in your same position to stay strong, even though you may not be feeling very strong yourself. That takes courage and strength. 

You may not be able to see your friends in person for a while, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop planning fun activities and trips with your friends in the future. Right now, flights are pretty cheap and have flexible cancellation policies. If school doesn’t go back to normal and you and your best friends are busy in the summer, especially with moving away for college or a new job being just around the corner, plan something fun with them. Take back control and map out a fun summer vacation to celebrate your graduation with those closest to you. If the summer isn’t an option, aim for  something during the first break so you can get away from work or school to soak in the fact that you conquered graduating. 

This situation will only make you stronger. No other senior class has experienced a global pandemic in modern times. You will know how to handle uncertain situations and life’s unfairness much better than any other class. Your class will forever be tainted with the memory of coronavirus, and while you cannot change that, there are still some things you can do. Some high school seniors have started petitions for their local county school district to postpone their proms or graduation ceremonies for the late summer months when hopefully the social distancing requirements will be loosened. A New Jersey high school senior, Mackenzie Horvath, created an online petition for just postponing prom and graduation nationwide instead of cancelling it, which has just about 30,000 signatures, according to USA Today. Don’t lose hope but also keep a realistic scenario of what your graduation, prom, and end of senior year may look like under lockdown, and know that everyone is thinking about you, class of 2020.