A college student’s senior year is supposed to be their last chance to make lifelong memories and friendships before they are fully thrust into the adult world. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the entire world in early spring, life has been altered and subsequently my ideal plans for my own senior year at Ohio University have shifted. Despite that unfortunate shift, I’m determined to make my senior year as memorable as all students deserve.
In a perfect world without a global pandemic, I’d be spending my senior year trying to grab a meal at every local Athens eatery, exploring the many attractions of Southeast Ohio and maybe I’d even be adventurous in attempting to try every shot on Lucky’s or Pigskin’s vast shot lists. Alas, that’s not my senior year reality.
In the first few weeks of classes, I’ve started to rethink my overall goals for the next eight or so months. The limitations the pandemic has brought are not ideal, but they're understandable, and I’m a firm believer that they’re necessary to ever go back to any type of normal. These cautionary measures aren’t set to ruin seniors’ last college year, but to ensure we have some final taste of youth. So with all COVID-19 precautions in mind, I have two sappy but attainable goals for my senior year.
First, I want to appreciate the people in my life who have made my college so memorable. When you think of making memories with friends, usually those memories surround grand events and celebrations. Some of these include OU’s homecoming weekend, spending New Year’s in Athens or a big football game happening at Peden Stadium. While these things are all great, I’m trying to better appreciate what some may call insignificant. Going out for a cheap meal, sitting on a patio and talking into the early hours of the morning with some friends may seem minor, but these occurrences often lead to some of the best memories.
While spending time with my friends is crucial, it would be the same without the backdrop that is Athens. Athens may be a small town, but trying to experience all it has to offer in a mere four years is daunting. From the many restaurants and bars to the parks and hiking trails that are only a small drive away, Athens is a pinnacle of Southeast Ohio, and I’ll be damned if I don’t try to see as much as I possibly can. Though some places may be shut down for the unforeseeable future, I’ll be jumping at the possibility to check some Athens staples off my senior year bucket list.
I’d be lying to myself if I said I’d get to do everything I want to do in Athens prior to my graduation. COVID-19 has definitely thrown a wrench into how eventful my senior year may be, but at the end of the day, it hasn’t ruined it and I’m sure to end my college days on a high note. So until the day I become an alumna, I’m going to use this column to remind myself to enjoy my last days in Athens.
Molly Schramm is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University and the editor-in-chief of The Post. Have questions? Email Molly at ms660416@ohio.edu or tweet her @_molly_731.
