My Experience:

When I first learned I’d have to leave school and quarantine, I was furious. I had to leave school for 14 days, as someone near me had tested positive for Covid19. Many things went through my head: What about my cross country season?  What about my friends?  I’m going to be so bored!  I could think about my concerns all I wanted; It wouldn’t change the fact that I had to leave. 

I pleaded with my parents to convince the health department that I was fine, that I could go back to school, but that still didn’t matter. What mattered is that I had been exposed and that there was a chance that I had contracted the virus. When I reflect on how I felt, I want to go back in time and slap me in the face. How could I be so selfish? People are dying, and if I had contracted the virus, I would be putting people at risk by going to school.

I knew that I’d have to do remote learning. I wasn’t sure if I would like it. On the first day of remote learning, I finished all my work in about 3-4 hours, leaving the rest of the day to do whatever I wanted to. I ate an absurd amount of cereal, became very close to my dog, to the extent where I started calling myself a “dog mom” and watched shows about wedding dress shopping.  By the end of it,  I was “Spring Quarantine Seattle” all over again, and I wasn’t my best self. 

For the most part, remote learning was alright. The learning aspect of it was not extremely difficult. Whenever I had an issue, my teachers got back to me pretty quickly and were willing to help. The most difficult part for me was missing my friends. I would text them all day, but they couldn’t respond as they were in class. As a very extroverted person, I can’t say what it would be like to do this as a more introverted person, but I’m sure they would be just fine with it. Staying home with little to no human interaction is an introvert’s ideal day. But for me, this was a test of how well I could entertain myself for two weeks.

Coming back to school was strange, too. I couldn’t sleep in or eat unhealthy food all day, and I had to wear a mask. But having to quarantine made me more aware. I knew that if I came near someone with their mask below their nose, or even worse, completely down below their mouth, I was putting myself in danger. I knew that it was dangerous before, but now I am even warier. 

While the two weeks weren’t terrible, It made me realize that in-person school was always good for me. I learned I am a happier version of myself when I have the opportunity to see my friends and teachers every day, and I can get the learning experience I want.