This totally sucks and we all know it. How can we remain our best selves when our expectations for our milestones has to be altered for our own safety?
Whether it be acing a test, celebrating student council wins or graduating from high school, accomplishments both big and small are being celebrated differently than we imagined. With COVID-19 altering our daily lives to protect our community, how can we remain optimistic of all that we have done, and all that we will continue to achieve?
The Upward Bound Program values each student we get to engage with, and it is important to us that you know we are here for you during this transition to more remote living and learning. The number one thing to know is that the ways in which the Coronavirus has changed our immediate futures is intense, and that the emotions you have are valid. You should also know that your accomplishments will always be yours, regardless if it's not in the way you envisioned.
The important thing to remember is that social distancing is more like physical distancing, because we should try to remain as socially connected as possible. We're all in this together, and when we meet again we will know more about ourselves. We will have a deeper appreciation for the people in our lives, the connections we form as human beings, and the potential we all have to make a difference.
Sit with your emotions, and don't be afraid to own them. Yet, don't forget to take care of yourself. You matter to the UB community, and we can't wait to see you again soon.
This totally sucks. Let's lean on each other to make it a little easier.