A Diploma in Dealing with Uncertainty

A juvenile and satirical attempt at writing a graduation speech. 

As I wear the graduation gown over my formal shirt paired with my pretty strawberry pyjamas, I can’t help but feel thankful for the opportunity that this quarantine has given me—this diploma in dealing with uncertainty—that it has gifted me.

However, before I extensively discuss the vicissitudes of student quarantine life, I would first like to thank all those who have made it possible for me to come this far, who helped me stand on this Zoom platform with pride as I throw my hat at my room ceiling commemorating the graduation of batch 2021- my parents, teachers, batch-mates and the widespread information infrastructure that helped me survive. 

Aka, the Internet.

Google, Wikipedia, IB Questionbank, etc., I have always loved technology but this pandemic made me realize how I’m not only grateful to it for connecting me with the world, but also how useful it can be when it comes to enriching my report card. I can proudly say that every successful thought and intellectual idea of mine is graced by the soundful tapping of the keys ‘Command+C’ and ‘Command+V’ (Copy and Paste). I would also just like to take a moment and acknowledge that distinguished smart kid who was always ready to help humanity by solving the paper first and sharing it with the class (A true philanthropist, an angel and the reason why I didn’t fail Physics).

While it is evident that the Internet played an important role in helping me attend my classes, it played an even bigger role in helping me skip them due to some very “poor internet connection” caused by unknown reasons. Furthermore, the invention called the split screen, finally allowed me to complete all 12 seasons of Big Bang Theory in one week.

Even though my dream of attending class in my bed finally came true, the idea that my teachers suddenly became too aware of the fact that I had nowhere to go, didn’t exactly bode well. This pandemic actively disrupted my social life, brought it to a standstill, and helped me get closer to nature, specifically, the nature of Tik Tok. As established by my lack of an individual Instagram account, I’m not overly keen when it comes to using social media. However, the past year proved to me just how integral social media can be in preserving one’s sanity when dealing with the increased workload kindly bestowed upon us by our teachers. Although my teacher, Ms.B, really did an amazing job in teaching me Business Management, my 4 hour research on Tik Tok helped me gain a very fresh perspective on how to make profit from 30 second videos.

If there is one thing that I’m really thankful for, during this quarantine, it's how all of us—regardless of whether we are studying IB, CBSE, GCSE or A levels—are now together, shoved into the same boat. Whether it is because of our curriculum’s stupid way of dealing with online schooling or our gratefulness for that bedside tissue box wiping away our constant breakdowns, it is honestly a consolation to know that I have a shoulder to cry on; a partner to rant about the lack of sports seasons, food festivals, spirit week, prom and every other traditional high-school celebratory event. I used to pride myself for never indulging in self-pity but suddenly self-victimization had become the way of life. Complaining together was the only way to find solace during these trying times.

Until that one day when I lived without Wifi.

Just like every other sane teenager, the last thing I wanted was to live without my priceless router that helped me see more than the peachy walls of my room. However, the universe decided to say bazinga on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 when my network provider suddenly decided to do some maintenance work after more than a year.

I thought that day would never end, but guess what, it did. I played cards with my parents, booted up my dusted hard drive to watch my middle-school shows and painted in the hidden sketchbooks shoved at the back of my closet. I was truly surprised to learn that I enjoyed what would have been one of the most unusually boring days.

This pandemic and the consequent online schooling was very, very different from anyone’s ideals and I’m still quite pissed about the fact that I didn’t get to go for prom shopping. However, whether it is learning the idea of gratitude (even if it’s to that small piece of tape holding my assistive notes), or realizing that I’m responsible for making the most out of any situation, it would be rather ignorant of me to not recognize the learning curve of this entire situation; to realize, how it has, in its own cruel way, taught me how to deal with the uncertainties of life. Hence, as I was asked to end this on a positive note despite my strong protests, I would like to conclude by saying that instead of using your darkest times as an excuse to dig yourself a burial ground, use it as an opportunity to grow and flourish into a better version of yourself. There’s a big difference between burying a life and planting it, and I choose to believe in the latter. At least, I’m trying to. It’s up to you to make your life something worth reminiscing, so make it spicy…even if it's just by wearing a pair of heels below those strawberry pyjamas.

Cheers Everyone!

**Mic drop; Leaves the podium**