I’m Type-A. For the past four years, I have had every little detail of my life planned out. My plan followed accordingly: Straight-As, stellar internships, a gap year on the Hill, and then law school. With the COVID-19 pandemic appearing out of seemingly nowhere, I’m left starting from scratch as a senior—the life I had planned out is no longer my reality.
In light of the pandemic, my plans collapsed. My dream internship with a prominent U.S. Senator disappeared, and I spent my summer contemplating how to move forward. Rather than working in the city of my dreams, I restructured my plans. I wanted to take a gap year between undergraduate and graduate school, and now, with the tumultuous job market, I decided to move forward with graduate school. I spent my entire summer studying for the Law School Admissions Test in preparation for applying to law schools in the fall. Personally, this was very strenuous because I had mentally prepared for a year of employment before committing to another three years of school. Beyond my dedication to grad school entry exams, I had also secured an internship with a local politician in the Champaign Urbana area. I am lucky to engage in meaningful work that I might otherwise not have done if my original plans followed through.
While a part of me wishes that my plans panned out as planned, I have learned that the best path for me to follow may not have been the one I expected. The COVID-19 pandemic was an opportunity for me to learn how to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Beyond this, I believe it has taught every graduating senior that they are capable of adapting.
I ended up scoring extremely well on an exam I had been dreading taking—an opportunity for me to apply to schools I never believed I would attend. My internship will occur next summer, and I have spent the past few weeks applying to law school. While I had wanted to take a gap year because it was what everyone does, I knew that it was never right for me—I was following the crowd. Avoiding the tumultuous career market is an excuse for me to follow the path I want to follow after undergrad: law school.
Overall, having my senior year clouded by the pandemic is not how I envisioned my final year at the University of Illinois. I pictured myself enjoying my lectures one last time, making more late-night memories with my friends, and celebrating our career successes. Instead, I am fortunate that I have been able to adapt. I am enthusiastic about the next three years of my life, my internship plans for next summer, and making memories with my friends, albeit in a smaller group and a more relaxed atmosphere. While the last few months haven’t been easy, it has taught us all that we can handle and persevere through unforeseen challenges and changes.