By Hayden Sampson
There are few things harder in this world than going to a new place with no friends and starting over. That being said, there is nothing more rewarding than being able to find friends in that new place, and being successful in starting from scratch.
The Class of 2020 has had it harder than most, because meeting people and living a completely different lifestyle is twice as hard during a pandemic. For people less prepared, this task could be impossible. However, Tempe Prep is a perfect place to learn how to deal with hard things, and our college freshmen alumni are reared and ready to embrace the challenge.
Says ASU freshman Noah Teeters, “Well everything is still online which is a big difference, but honestly I haven’t had as much work as I thought there would be in college. A lot of that, I think, comes from TPA and the work and things you learn there.”
For those worried about what is to come, there is one comforting thought: We have dealt with the hard things before at Tempe Prep, and we can do them again.
Says Notre Dame freshman Tykiera Jordan, “So far I’ve been piled with homework, but it hasn’t been that bad because I am used to that. Everything is going at a good pace right now, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.” We certainly feel the same, as we’re excited to see what Tykiera does on top of the amazing achievements she has accomplished so far.
It is fair to assume that a Covid-19 college experience is nothing like a normal one. While it may be different, I think our alums are finding it more engaging than they expected. About her social interactions with her classmates so far, Tykiera says, “My dorm is amazing and we always have social events or zoom meetings going on so that everyone knows everyone. Friends weren’t that hard to make because every freshman was going through the same things that I was so we all just bonded over that.”
If there is one thing to take from this year, it’s that we are not alone, and it seems as if that carries in college as well. Sometimes, things don’t go to plan. Fortunately, our 2020 grads seem to be ready for it. We couldn’t ask for better role models, and for that we have them to thank.