The #ImStillGraduating series shared on our Instagram account features graduating chapter members of Active Minds Western. The line art graphics were created by our VP Creative Anika In’t Hout. We wanted to provide our graduating members with the opportunity to share their thoughts on the current situation in a fresh and engaging way. Keep scrolling to meet our seniors and read their takes on virtual graduation.
Angela
“Since I was young, I felt like my life was culminating to graduating from university. Up until university, each step of your life is planned for you, but after that, nothing is. While having a pandemic impact your graduation is a *bit* more unplanned than anticipated, I’m trying to make the best out of this new normal. Some days are harder than others, but having so much free time has been an unanticipated opportunity to reconnect with so many people before we each go our separate ways. Despite its unceremonious end, I’m so grateful for everything I’ve learned and everyone I’ve met during my undergrad experience. I can’t wait until all of this is over so we can properly celebrate together. Until then, hang in there everyone! And congrats to the graduating class of 2020!”
Ozzie
“My perception of Graduation has always been a little bit gloomy. I used to see it as one big sad goodbye, as opposed to the celebration of an achievement. Since the pandemic hit, I wanted to try and take advantage of the circumstances and change my perspective. Not only by taking the time to celebrate, but also by doing so on my own schedule, instead of during a designated time slot. And I encourage you to do the same. Take your time, find the silver-lining in all of this. Say goodbye when you’re ready, celebrate when it feels right, and close this chapter on your own terms.”
The idea for the campaign was developed by our President, Saba Siddiqui, having come across the Her Campus #ImStillGraduating virtual event that supported Active Minds. Once a strategy for the campaign was established, Saba and the VPs of each portfolio reached out to interested graduating members. As the graphics and blurbs were prepared for each graduate, our VP Communications Bahar Rafinejad shared them on the Active Minds Western Instagram throughout the duration of the campaign.
Katherine
“To say the least, graduating feels weird this year. I finished my undergrad at the kitchen counter. For someone who’s always bouncing between meetings and classes, it’s been a massive change with social interaction levels (and motivation) going from 100 to 0, rushed goodbyes, and rebuilding new routines and sleep schedules to adapt. For many including myself, the next year or so of our lives have been turned upside down in every context. There are always a lot of mixed emotions with graduating regardless, but wrapping up the year in a pandemic leads us to find different ways of closure and staying in touch – and I’m beyond grateful that we have the technology to stay connected digitally! To those who have yet to graduate, soak up every moment, because even the longest semesters will fly by. Even though this isn’t how I expected to graduate, I’m still incredibly excited for what lies ahead, and to eventually see my friends in person!!”
Kieran
“What’s next?” — “As a graduating student, we hear this from our friends, we hear this from our family, and most of all we hear this from ourselves. Although we may anticipate it years in advance, you may be like me and far from a definite answer. For now, I am trying to be okay with this, however, on some days more successfully than others. Graduating in a pandemic has brought on a new level of uncertainty no one could have predicted and yet provoked discussions around this question unlike I have ever experienced before. This period of instability, although difficult in numerous ways for many, has brought unanticipated comfort in uncertainty for me. I have been able to (re)connect with loved ones and gain a level of clarity around my priorities in isolation. While this ending has been unconventional, I have full faith in the resilience of the graduating class of 2020, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to grow alongside everyone.”
It is incredibly important to share these #ImStillGraduating messages as the current dynamic situation has impacted the mental health of university students greatly. Through sharing these messages, a sense of community is established and allows other graduating students, who may be feeling a sense of loss, know that they are not alone. It provides us with the opportunity to empower graduating students and celebrate their accomplishments.
