Pandemic and Isolation

My hard thing was getting through the school year during a pandemic. It was the hardest thing I have ever faced in my life– it was not easy. I am proud to say I made it!

My family moved from another state just in time for me to begin the school year (fall 2020). Since the option was offered to students, my parents told me I would be doing school fully remotely– via Zoom from home. I agreed this would be the safest for me.

Every day I sat in front of my laptop, signed in to each of my classes, and participated as much as I could through this method of learning. I did pretty well through the first half of the year but then things changed. I just felt too tired to sit in front of my laptop or even leave my bedroom. I didn’t want to go outside or be around other people. I stopped doing my homework or talking with my teachers and school counselor through email. I did not have any friends since I had never attended school in person. I was failing all of my classes. I couldn’t see how it could get better again. I felt hopeless and disconnected from everything– even myself.

I now understand what happened once I got help from all the adults around me. I was diagnosed with depression. The isolation in my home was too much. Since we were new in the area, my parents didn’t know how to get help for me. My school counselor helped to connect me with a therapist. I met with the therapist through Zoom and progressed to appointments in person. I also saw a doctor to receive other medical care I needed to improve my health.

It took many more months to start feeling better. By the fall of the next school year (2021), I looked forward to attending school in person. I felt like a new student all over again. I was very nervous, about finding my way around the school, making friends, and making up the classes I failed the previous year. I knew I had to keep moving forward. I did not want to fall back into that hopeless place again.

What helped me get through this hard time were the adults who reached out to help me. I am thankful they noticed that I was struggling– even though they had never met me face-to-face. I am especially thankful to my parents for being open to receiving help when they did not know what to do.