The Impact Of Covid-19

Four years ago, COVID-19 entered our lives and sent us into isolation. Around the globe, people had to adapt to this unknown, frightening way of life. This is how Northwest students did that.

Online learning was an option many students took to distance themselves from the pandemic, but for some, it was difficult to adapt. 

Senior Sean Sonoiki says his schooling experience was impacted heavily by the virus. He stated, “Before COVID, I had never struggled with school and I was a good student. Everything felt like it was going according to plan. Then after COVID, I am trying to get back on track and refocus myself for the future… It has been working, I just need to keep pushing.” 

Although online learning was difficult, returning to school in person was a relief for many. Sonoiki continued, “I missed the outside world, I was excited to step outside on my balcony for the first time during COVID. It felt nice to breathe in the air.”

Cohen Thielking is a sophomore who took a positive look at the subject. He said, “We went online for that short period, and with the technology [the schools provided], it made my school experience a lot better. It would have been harder without the computers.”

Although school is usually looked upon as compulsory more than anything, going back to normalcy was needed for students to feel like things were finally getting under control. Although the health regulations that were put in place faced backlash from some, it became an insignificant sacrifice considering the fact that students and teachers were finally able to get back to seeing friends and co-workers in the classroom. 

Elaine Struthers is a senior who is thankful that things have returned to normal. “I feel like life is slowly returning back to the way things were before, but I also think that there are some things that will remain different such as leave policies and working from home,” Struthers stated. 

They had more time for self-reflection as well. Struthers said, “I was able to learn a lot more about myself, listen to a lot more music, exercise more often and spend time with my family.”
COVID-19 was a time for many to take a step back and embrace isolation. Through the endless struggles, students were able to get through the pandemic while also learning that with a disease spreading around the globe, there are ways to stay connected to the ones people care about.