If your DC graduated from high school in 2020 or 2021

[Anonymous]

DD was Class of 2020 and was devastated to lose all of the senior celebrations, prom, and closure on high school. That was rough.

She did go off to college - nothing to do at home during a gap year as everything was basically still closed. Thankfully she went to school in the south where things were reopening. Had a lab and one class (a freshman experience class) in person in the fall of 2020 and more were hybrid in the spring. She lived in a suite and the dining hall and gym were open, so it was semi-normal ish.

She ended up getting a job at a pizza place as an essential worker more for socializing than for the money. She’s ok. But many of her friends dropped out and transferred. There were so many conflicts and mental health issues around her at school. It was really tough.

Like PP said,I don’t think you can compare groups to see who had it the worst. It was hard all around.

[Anonymous]

My DS graduated HS in 2020. He had online classes in his freshman year and on track to graduate Mechanical Engineering with a minor in music in December 2023. He will take a year off after graduation to try out modeling, acting and music. He is not missing out on anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2019 and 2021 HS grads. 2019 had his own college related issues with shut down, but just graduated with honors and has a job so I consider him a success.

My 2021 had his planned future destroyed as he was an athlete being recruited. Without going into all the details, he actually did land at a college and is playing his sport but not at all where he thought he would be. However, he doesn't seem to regret any of it and he just persevered. He's on track to graduate in four years and I don't think I've ever heard him (or his friends) say anything about being "stuck". Matter of fact, now that I think about it most of his friends seem to be doing well in college and are on track to graduate in 4 years.

I'm sorry for your son's experience, but am glad to hear that he has adjusted.

As a PP mentioned, there is no universal experience for these HS graduating classes. As a parent of three teens during the pandemic, one thing I observed is how much sports outside of school benefited my two, who are more serious athletes. For my other teen, who did not have as much going on outside of school activities, having school buildings shut down had more of a negative impact.

PP and thanks. He's actually a great kid and while devastated at the time, he figured it out. And couldn't agree more about sports really being a HUGE positive for my kids during COVID. I understand it's not the same for all kids, but I think having an outside interest that they were able to go do was fantastic for both physical and mental health.

[Anonymous]

No. High school isn't much fun anyway, they were excited to get to college!

[Anonymous]

DD graduated in 2021. She had an almost normal first year in college and is moving forward with her life. I do think the 2020 graduates had a much harder time.

[Anonymous]

They took an extended gap year to say the least, but are well on their way now.