Explainer: The fear of missing out brought on by online graduations

by Liam Robinson

With graduation, one of the most anticipated ceremonies of any students academic career, being held online for the end of the 2020 semester many students are feeling like they need to make up for it.

Students at Franklin Pierce were given the warnings of “we may not come back after spring break” but some students at other schools were completely blindsided by the decision
“My dessert for a four-star, four-course meal was a graham cracker,” said Nathan Procter, senior at Amherst college.

Some are focusing on the money already spent, some cry, some ignore the thought of how living through a historical event has effected them, and many take what positives they get each day.

“I felt lucky cause flight plans and things like that got refunded for summer trips” FPU senior Matthew Heffernan said, “It was weird when I moved out, just grabbed my stuff and dipped.”

photo: Andrew Cunningham

Former president  Barack Obama  will be hosting an online ceremony alongside LeBron James and activist Malala Yousafzai May 16th, broadcasted by ABC, Fox, and CBS.  So what is all this for?

The pandemic creates a special scenario where gathering in groups is the worst thing you can do. Events like graduation, birthdays, and life in general are not taken into account by a virus and we have to find ways to keep our spirits high during times when we normally are gathered to celebrate.

Humans are sociable by habit, this virus forces us to change our nature and adapt to hermetic lifestyles that, for many, is the opposite of what they are used to. Its nerve racking, boring, and down right scary having to be locked in your own home.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” said Procter. “Some of my friends were disappointed with how the news was delivered, and want to at least see each other off”

These  closing measures are extremely important for the future of this pandemic,  if doctors and scientists have to focus on treating people who keep exposing others and themselves they cant focus their efforts on things like a vaccine.

Hello readers! My name is Liam Robinson
I hope you have enjoyed the Exchanges coverage of the COVID-19 developments. Stay safe!