Back-to-School Advice From 2020 Grads

“With school being online-only, you might be thinking, ‘No one is watching,’ and will not push yourself to do your best. Stay motivated by reminding yourself that you want to be smarter by the end of the year and by focusing on your end goals.”
— Ryan, age 13, Los Angeles, California

“As a 2020 graduate, my advice to teens entering 12th grade (considering how unpredictable the last year has been) is to live in the moment more as well as to embrace change rather than trying to stop or slow it. It’s kind of inevitable to think about the future as a senior, since you have to take action toward, and make decisions about, your plans for college, but it’s equally important to be present and appreciate the things you might normally take for granted. Not to mention that time does move fast and a lot of big life changes are probably going to hit you soon. Take the opportunity to really appreciate one chapter as it comes to an end and to grow in conjunction with the newness and unfamiliarity that is bound to come afterward.”
— Jamison, age 18, Belvidere, New Jersey

“It can be tiring sitting and looking at a computer screen all day, but there are definitely ways you can look on the bright side. I knew that the pandemic would come to an end eventually and would still hold on to hope that we would go back soon. In the meantime, I loved to continue doing my favorite hobbies such as painting, drawing, and reading, which I never really had the time to enjoy beforehand.”
Mia, age 13, Pasadena, California

“My advice for any upcoming 8th graders would be just to do your best in school. Getting along with teachers is a plus because they may be more willing to help with students who show more gratitude for them.”
— Jazmine, age 13, Belvidere, New Jersey

“Especially like the situation with coronavirus, you don’t want to take your friends for granted. So, 8th grade would be a good time to really find those few special friends who will stick with you through high school, even though you may make many more during your time in high school.”
— Jazmine, age 12, Belvedere, New Jersey

“I think that it's so important to keep in touch with friends. It's hard to transition from seeing people for upwards of six hours a day, five days a week, and then seeing nobody besides the people in your house. But also, keeping in touch means something different for everyone! For some of my friends, that means a big Zoom call every night. For some, it might just be a check-in text every couple days. Figure out whatever the level of engagement you need is, and then engage!”
— Hera, age 18, Berkeley, California

“One thing that I did, as a gift to all my classmates, is make matching bracelets for the graduating class of 2020. That made it memorable. So, have something that all of you can share and remember. It was really hard, not having a graduation and being there together in person. Having a way to connect is so important. So, we wrote letters to each other and we had conversations in class about things we are going to miss about each other — like positive affirmations. That was really sweet, our way to say goodbye. Those kinds of things can bring you together as a class.”
— Gabby, age 14, Los Angeles, California

"I think it's also important to remember that while, obviously, this pandemic has incredible global significance, online school and social distancing does not the end of the world make. Pick up a hobby or something, and remember that everyone's in the same boat. We're in it together, and we'll get through it together.”
— Hera, age 18, Berkeley, California