I am a non-traditional student, I am a US Army veteran, I am a wife, and I am a mother. I am currently a senior at MTSU studying Photography.

I have never struggled much in school before.

Prior to the pandemic, I had never imagined that I would be one day questioning what to do with my life and the goals I have for myself.

So much change has happened this past year but little growth.

I was a freshman in Fall 2017. Now? I am graduating in May 2021. That’s 50ish days from now. Let me just tell you a little bit about my college experience, and how I have changed as a person.

I have been trying my best to follow all of the precautions only for people who I thought I respected to tell me that it doesn’t matter or constantly make excuses for their lack of concern.

I’ve never felt this overwhelmed in my entire life.

I am not sure what I am facing. Is this natural anxiety or health anxiety I should be worried about?

Covid has made finding an internship very difficult.

When I do find the time to enjoy myself I always seem to be feeling guilty.

I was sexually assaulted in my college dorm room early on in the spring semester of 2020.

I don’t feel like the same student I used to be and it upsets me a lot.

I’m tired of pretending.

I do not have the confidence of years past.

Covid has altered the college experience for everyone over the past two years, and it really seems unfair.

I have a lot on my plate this semester but it’s hard for me to say no.

2020 and 2021 was hard, dude. I thought that this phase of my life would be the most exciting time. I thought I’d be in a committed relationship, living independently on my own, and feeling good about where I am at. Unfortunately, I am none of those things.

No matter what I tried and tried to do the homework and tried to understand, the professor would send me on a wild goose chase to find notes even though I had written pretty decent notes.

2020 was definitely a year to remember.

Why does this system weigh so heavily on standardized tests to get scholarships.