As I approached the side of the school for registration this year, I started to grin. A line of kids was slowly starting to wrap around the school, waiting to grab class lists for a year that would be an adjustment for everybody. Rather than panic over what might go wrong, however, or stand furious over new guidelines calling for masks, my classmates were laughing and socializing without skipping a beat. It was at this point that I realized that in spite of any potential annoyances when it comes to new COVID-19 guidelines, it would be worth it to power through in order to get day-to-day life and my high school experience back to normal (or as close as it can be).

A year and a half ago, when schools were shut down, all of us quickly became buried in a flurry of masks and guidelines, which, while necessary, got old very fast. Over time, there was steady improvement, peaking with a vaccine finally being developed. While these helped to make us feel as if we were out of  the pandemic, they also made it even more shocking when the CDC released new guidelines recommending masks in schools for this year.

Initially, it felt like yet another annoying setback, a guideline determined to put the idea of having a life post-pandemic on hold for as long as possible. Another year seemed like it might be lost, with no real end in sight. Yet as my experience at registration caused me to expect, and my first days of school this year have confirmed – following all the guidelines is completely worth it.

Though I might not be able to see classmates smiling at me when we see each other in the hallways for what feels like the first time in eons, a wave will do. A high five will do. Even a nod will do. To be a step closer to having things be “normal” feels great. It wasn’t until I saw everybody on that first day that I realized how many people I missed. And at a certain point, the masks have already begun to feel ordinary. Until I decided to have a mint during class the other day, I’d almost completely forgotten that I had been wearing it. I’d been too focused on catching up with old friends, as well as making some new ones. 

As the sun shone bright and the breeze felt more refreshing than ever on my walk down the hall the other day, I knew that in spite of the unconventional setting, it would be a fantastic year.