7th Grade has been weird this year. Almost the whole year was online and I only got to see a few of the people in my classes in person. Many of the people in my classes are just black screens with avatars. Still, as one year passes since I have gone to school in person, there are unique things that I have gotten to experience as a middle school student.
To explain the place where I am now, I must tell you about my 6th grade experience. It was in the middle of the school year (everyone remembers it the Friday of the 13th in March) when it was announced that schools would shut down. For a few weeks, things had already been getting tense. Covid-19 cases were starting to pop up around the city and many big events at schools and places outside were getting canceled. Many people were expecting schools to shut down for a few weeks. So, when we heard the news that school was closed for a while, everyone was excited. We didn't have to go to school! Extra breaks! I personally was relieved because it meant I had more time to work on my statistics project. Everyone thought this would end in a few weeks, but we traded contacts just to keep in touch. Turns out we were very wrong about everything we predicted.
Two weeks passed. Then three weeks. There was no news from the district about opening again. The weeks kept adding up but still no news. My classmates and I texted each other wondering about what was going to happen next. The teachers had to quickly make a new and modified curriculum so all the assignments could be online. Lots of our work was quick, simple, and easy. However, things were not going as well for me.
The start of online school was okay. I was able to do most assignments and many of them were pretty easy. But, as things started to go on, I started forgetting to do my work, turning in assignments late, and spiraling down a hole. To others, this may be something normal, but to me, it was something unheard of and shocking me that I was missing out on school. Not only that, but I also struggled with my emotions. I would have tons of meltdowns, crying and locking myself in my room for hours. It was really tough for me and my family was an endless misery.
Summer break was similar with ups and downs, but 7th grade came along the corner. Because the school system in my district started middle school in 7th grade, it was a pretty big deal. I was nervous but also excited to have different classes with different teachers. The night before school was nerve-wracking, me worrying about being on time for classes and not forgetting my homework. The next day, I was able to have a smooth day. I was able to go into my classes in time and meet my teachers for the year. Weeks went by where everything was fine. I was able to do different assignments with lots of effort and put turn them on time. This was not only due to my effort but also the teachers being prepared and ready for this school year.
Now, it is April, and I have decided to go to school. In two weeks, I will be going to school four days a week except for Wednesdays. I am excited to go to school and finally meet kids in my grade in-person.
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