It can be challenging to leave home for the first time, move into college, and begin a new chapter of one’s life which would be full of the unexpected. But imagine the feelings that came with undergoing this experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2024 did just that.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana seniors, Rikki Landry and James Lowring, recall feelings of isolation and loneliness when they think back to the times of the pandemic. Leaving home, leaving friends, leaving family and even leaving one’s pets can provoke feelings of desolation.

On top of this, the seniors had few opportunities to distract themselves from solitude.

“We really missed out on First Year Experience [due to] events being scarce and having little interactions with people in class,” Landry, music performance major, said. “It was really hard to connect with others during the midst of the pandemic, but then things started to brighten up.”

From a Spirit of Northwestern band member’s perspective, everyone took the opportunity to create an environment of love and fun, she said. For themselves and others, the Class of 2024 managed to make light out of the pandemic.

Seniors began to overcome the obstacles of the pandemic rather than being drawn back because of these challenges.

Jaylin Moore, a senior music business major, does not feel he had to miss out on his first-year experience, as he made the most of what he could. Before COVID-19 prevented Moore from being in the presence of others, he did not realize the importance of prioritizing certain aspects of his life.

Moore felt the weight of the pandemic during his freshman year.

“It taught me how to stay focused and attentive, especially when it came to things like coursework or trying to stay connected with friends,” Moore said.

When COVID-19 showed them how quickly life can change, seniors chose to learn from it rather than watch the time go by.

Although his first year of college was different from other classes’ experiences, Lowring, communication senior, has experienced a great time in college.

“I have had the best time of my life in college,” he said.

From quarantining and social distancing to Demon Days and now graduation just around the corner, the Class of 2024 has learned, grown and achieved together.

Not only did the pandemic teach seniors to be prepared for anything that may come their way, but it has also given them the confidence to survive and thrive through the craziness of planet Earth, Lowring said.