I always thought that my senior year would be magical. As a kid, I dreamt that I would be so sad to leave high school and I would spend every day of my senior year just cherishing every moment. I didn’t think I would have to worry about “senioritis.” I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Ever since the pandemic hit, I’ve become more and more ready to just leave everything behind. Of course, I have loved the time spent at this school and there are some parts of life that will be bittersweet to say goodbye to, but I am so ready for something, anything new. So many of us have been stuck in the same routine since March, and I can’t imagine that I am the only one facing major burnout. I don’t think that what I am dealing with is just senioritis either, because it’s not just school that I have no motivation for–it’s everything. The days blur, together and I find myself growing tired of what used to excite me.

Don’t get me wrong, I have picked up some hobbies and watched new shows during all of this, but I rarely see friends outside of school, and, when I do, it is nowhere near normal. I am an extrovert whose love language is physical touch… which is a little bit difficult given the current situation. I am so bored with life right now and I struggle to focus on anything. More than anything, this pandemic has made me realize what I used to take for granted. I never thought twice about hugging my friends or going out to eat. I cannot wait for college and just a chance to experience something new. I’ll meet new people, see new things and just get to live my life how I want to.

Even if things aren’t fully back to normal by the time August rolls around, I know that the class of 2021 will be very excited to gain some semblance of freedom and normalcy.