My Last First Week Back: A Grade 12 Perspective
By Easton McGillicuddy
Time. It’s one of those things that’s always against you. It never goes by fast enough to get through a slow week, and never sticks around long enough to give you time to study for that test. It’s the first week of school, yet somehow, I’m already feeling a mix of both.
I can still recall who I used to be. Eager to start a new chapter of my life as a freshman, yet doubting my place in the unknown environment of Notre Dame. Questions swarmed my mind-would I find new friends? Could I keep up with the pace of my first semester ever? These nerves certainly got the best of me on the first day; I ended up in extended french rather than my math class next door.
Grade nine to eleven were extremely formative years for me, as I began to build my confidence. I met new people in art, history, and lunch, forming the supportive friendships I treasure today. It has taken me years to step out of my comfort zone, however, I have been met with nothing but encouragement from my peers and teachers. There are so many memories I fondly look back on, but the highlights include; my grade ten culminating debate, trivia night, a chess tournament, and simply laughing along with my biology class until we all couldn’t breathe anymore. These moments have not made it into the yearbook itself, but it is these individual memories and relationships that I value most within my school community. I know I make it sound like I’ve had nothing but positive experiences here, which for the most part is true; this school is a limitless source of ideal role models. ND truly provides a unique, versatile, high school experience.
Time. It’s one of those things that’s always against you. It never goes by fast enough to get through a slow week, and never sticks around long enough to give you time to study for that test. It’s the first week of school, yet somehow, I’m already feeling a mix of both.
I can still recall who I used to be. Eager to start a new chapter of my life as a freshman, yet doubting my place in the unknown environment of Notre Dame. Questions swarmed my mind-would I find new friends? Could I keep up with the pace of my first semester ever? These nerves certainly got the best of me on the first day; I ended up in extended french rather than my math class next door.
Grade nine to eleven were extremely formative years for me, as I began to build my confidence. I met new people in art, history, and lunch, forming the supportive friendships I treasure today. It has taken me years to step out of my comfort zone, however, I have been met with nothing but encouragement from my peers and teachers. There are so many memories I fondly look back on, but the highlights include; my grade ten culminating debate, trivia night, a chess tournament, and simply laughing along with my biology class until we all couldn’t breathe anymore. These moments have not made it into the yearbook itself, but it is these individual memories and relationships that I value most within my school community. I know I make it sound like I’ve had nothing but positive experiences here, which for the most part is true; this school is a limitless source of ideal role models. ND truly provides a unique, versatile, high school experience.
Speaking of experiences, this certainly isn’t how I’ve envisioned my graduating year. I’d be lying if I said I’m not disappointed. I’ve always visualized myself taking photos with friends on the stage, and saying goodbye to my teachers in person. The uncertainty of the pandemic makes me feel like a grade nine again-with a whole new set of questions. Will the cohorts ever end, so I can have classes with my friends again? Will my happiness at grad be visible through a mask? How will I express my gratitude, and thank my teachers of the past four years for their dedication from such a distance? It may be six feet, but the sense of disconnect that comes along with it is many times greater. As case numbers rise again, I begin to wonder if our grad will happen at all.
While time is fleeting, I grasp onto however much of it I have left here. This sense of urgency has inspired a lot of self reflection, as I move toward my future studies and need to define what I want to do. I plan to apply to the iBioMed program at McMaster, Life Physics at Waterloo, and BioMath at Queens. What I’ll do with my life after that, I’ll have to see. For now, it’s another set of questions to deal with in the future. I can’t help but think about what I’d do if I had more time left at ND. Due to this, I leave the Irish who come after me with some advice:
Don’t be afraid to change as you adapt to a new environment, whether that be from elementary to secondary, or grade ten to eleven. You may not see in yourself the potential other people see in you right away, and you don’t have to have your life all figured out either-I certainly don’t. To the classes of ND after me, I wish you nothing but success and happiness. Hopefully, your years to come will be better than this one; only then will you understand the reasoning behind my unfaltering passion for this community.
While time is fleeting, I grasp onto however much of it I have left here. This sense of urgency has inspired a lot of self reflection, as I move toward my future studies and need to define what I want to do. I plan to apply to the iBioMed program at McMaster, Life Physics at Waterloo, and BioMath at Queens. What I’ll do with my life after that, I’ll have to see. For now, it’s another set of questions to deal with in the future. I can’t help but think about what I’d do if I had more time left at ND. Due to this, I leave the Irish who come after me with some advice:
Don’t be afraid to change as you adapt to a new environment, whether that be from elementary to secondary, or grade ten to eleven. You may not see in yourself the potential other people see in you right away, and you don’t have to have your life all figured out either-I certainly don’t. To the classes of ND after me, I wish you nothing but success and happiness. Hopefully, your years to come will be better than this one; only then will you understand the reasoning behind my unfaltering passion for this community.
The First Week Back: A Grade 12 Perspective
By David Pires
It’s been strange, yet satisfying to return to school this September.
As I am in cohort B, my first day back at school was actually online. This new learning format has had its share of challenges, but can also be fun at times. The first challenge I faced was Microsoft Teams. I was familiar with Zoom, but hadn’t tried Microsoft Teams until the first day of school. There was definitely some confusion as we adjusted to the new Teams streaming. However, attending class from the comfort of my own home is a definite positive of using Microsoft Teams in the classroom.
I was ecstatic when I finally had the opportunity to see my classmates in-person after nearly six months apart. It also enjoyed seeing my teachers after ending the last school year online. But reuniting with friends and teachers wasn’t the only benefit of returning to school. I prefer learning in the classroom and actively participating in classroom discussions to viewing pre-recorded lessons uploaded to the internet. Returning to the classroom has truly been a breath of fresh air.
Entering Grade 12, I knew this year would be a lot of work. This was emphasized in the first week of school, which was packed with a variety of tasks and assignments. I finished all of the work and look forward to facing the other obstacles I know this school year will throw my way. Since this is my last year of high school, I am looking to make the most of it despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Being involved in school activities is still possible, as exemplified by my new responsibility as a contributor for InsideND.
In summary, during my first week back at school, I had new experiences, conquered new challenges and had some fun. I am thrilled to be back at school and am eager to see how this quadmester turns out. I hope that the COVID-19 pandemic ends soon and we can return to normal. But I know that if not, we’ll still have an awesome school year.
It’s been strange, yet satisfying to return to school this September.
As I am in cohort B, my first day back at school was actually online. This new learning format has had its share of challenges, but can also be fun at times. The first challenge I faced was Microsoft Teams. I was familiar with Zoom, but hadn’t tried Microsoft Teams until the first day of school. There was definitely some confusion as we adjusted to the new Teams streaming. However, attending class from the comfort of my own home is a definite positive of using Microsoft Teams in the classroom.
I was ecstatic when I finally had the opportunity to see my classmates in-person after nearly six months apart. It also enjoyed seeing my teachers after ending the last school year online. But reuniting with friends and teachers wasn’t the only benefit of returning to school. I prefer learning in the classroom and actively participating in classroom discussions to viewing pre-recorded lessons uploaded to the internet. Returning to the classroom has truly been a breath of fresh air.
Entering Grade 12, I knew this year would be a lot of work. This was emphasized in the first week of school, which was packed with a variety of tasks and assignments. I finished all of the work and look forward to facing the other obstacles I know this school year will throw my way. Since this is my last year of high school, I am looking to make the most of it despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Being involved in school activities is still possible, as exemplified by my new responsibility as a contributor for InsideND.
In summary, during my first week back at school, I had new experiences, conquered new challenges and had some fun. I am thrilled to be back at school and am eager to see how this quadmester turns out. I hope that the COVID-19 pandemic ends soon and we can return to normal. But I know that if not, we’ll still have an awesome school year.
A Message from Chaplain Wayne
My mother cut this newspaper cartoon out of the Windsor Star and gave it to me when I saw them a couple of weeks ago. I had to laugh because it has so many little truths in it! Look closely! Masks. Sanitizer. Big eyed children. Staff commiserating about how things used to be.
Reflecting on the new school year, I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about some things (and maybe a lot nervous about some other things!!). Many staff and students have shared with me their longing to reconnect and see one another and to start learning/teaching again, but they are also frightened and scared and hesitant. Parents are cautious. Administrators are stretched thin with an abundance of questions with only few answers to be given.
This time that we are living in is the great unknown and I don't like that. As a matter of fact, I know many people who don't like not knowing!
I believe that not knowing is always the worst. THE WORST! We've all had these great unknown moments in the past!!
Some examples of the unknown in our lives are: The doctor's office that calls and says it wants you to come back in two weeks (!?!?!!?) because the doctor wants to discuss something with you! When a wife says, "We need to have a talk when you get home tonight." When the school calls and says that you need to come and get your kid and to make sure you come to the main office first! When you apply for a job and after securing a second interview they tell you it will be at least two weeks before a decision is made. When the auto mechanic calls and informs you that you need to call them back because "it's way worse than what we thought it was!" When your panicked prayer sounds like: "I need Your help right now God! Where are you?" When you're waiting for the mortgage to get approved. When the first labour pain hits you. When you are coming out of a big surgery. When you get lost on a hiking trail. When the lights go out and you are floundering for a flashlight in the dark.
My mother cut this newspaper cartoon out of the Windsor Star and gave it to me when I saw them a couple of weeks ago. I had to laugh because it has so many little truths in it! Look closely! Masks. Sanitizer. Big eyed children. Staff commiserating about how things used to be.
Reflecting on the new school year, I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about some things (and maybe a lot nervous about some other things!!). Many staff and students have shared with me their longing to reconnect and see one another and to start learning/teaching again, but they are also frightened and scared and hesitant. Parents are cautious. Administrators are stretched thin with an abundance of questions with only few answers to be given.
This time that we are living in is the great unknown and I don't like that. As a matter of fact, I know many people who don't like not knowing!
I believe that not knowing is always the worst. THE WORST! We've all had these great unknown moments in the past!!
Some examples of the unknown in our lives are: The doctor's office that calls and says it wants you to come back in two weeks (!?!?!!?) because the doctor wants to discuss something with you! When a wife says, "We need to have a talk when you get home tonight." When the school calls and says that you need to come and get your kid and to make sure you come to the main office first! When you apply for a job and after securing a second interview they tell you it will be at least two weeks before a decision is made. When the auto mechanic calls and informs you that you need to call them back because "it's way worse than what we thought it was!" When your panicked prayer sounds like: "I need Your help right now God! Where are you?" When you're waiting for the mortgage to get approved. When the first labour pain hits you. When you are coming out of a big surgery. When you get lost on a hiking trail. When the lights go out and you are floundering for a flashlight in the dark.
Floundering in the dark! I know that feeling!
This whole Covid time has been forcing me to be better with the unknown. I still don't like it, but I'm learning to sit with it a bit better. I don't want to invite the unknown for dinner or for an extended vacation, but I've been learning that when the unknown shows up, you need to sit with it in your living room and in your car and at your desk for a little while. Sitting with it makes it real and then manageable.
It has taught me to remember that this is a "first time unknown" for all of us. The pandemic came across like a tsunami wave and all of us were huddled up in our homes. When are we going back to work? How do I teach my kids? Where's the money going to come from? Realizing that you did have a lot of food in your pantry or realizing you had very little. I've learned that keeping touch with people was more important than watching TV.
All of us 'not knowing' together brought a common sense of connection.
I guess what I'm trying to write here is that, we all must become ok with the unknowns...not only now but in all our everyday lives. How do I even know that? Every time I felt like I was spinning or lost, or sad, or frustrated or anxious...I prayed. I didn't know what else to do. Sadly, prayer wasn't always my first go to! Sometimes I would just watch the news and be so overwhelmed by fear and sadness, God wasn't on my mind or even on my radar. I'd go to bed sad and wake up feeling the same unknown way. When I started praying more, I realized nothing else had changed. The only thing that had changed, was me.
I saw things differently, bit by bit, day by day. I realized I wasn't laughing as much as I used to. God wanted me to find joy again. When I was all backed up with tears, God wanted me to shed them with Him, and through that cathartic moment, feel His love and support. When I was stressed or really questioning things, through prayer, I would somehow find my way to an answer or a person with good listening ears! 🙂
Yes, everything will look different this year...but God's love never wavers, strays, or disappears. Maya Angelou wrote that "in our foolishness we think we have moved away from God, when in reality God has only moved closer to us."
Let this unknown time bring us closer to God. Everything else will fall where it is supposed to fall. Surrender your unknown to God and God will give you what you need...in abundance!
As we start this new school year, may God bless us all in the unknown.
We will get through this Notre Dame. I know we will!
Take care of yourselves and stay safe! Wear your masks. Don't party with friends. Be healthy. Make good choices!
Chaplain Wayne
This whole Covid time has been forcing me to be better with the unknown. I still don't like it, but I'm learning to sit with it a bit better. I don't want to invite the unknown for dinner or for an extended vacation, but I've been learning that when the unknown shows up, you need to sit with it in your living room and in your car and at your desk for a little while. Sitting with it makes it real and then manageable.
It has taught me to remember that this is a "first time unknown" for all of us. The pandemic came across like a tsunami wave and all of us were huddled up in our homes. When are we going back to work? How do I teach my kids? Where's the money going to come from? Realizing that you did have a lot of food in your pantry or realizing you had very little. I've learned that keeping touch with people was more important than watching TV.
All of us 'not knowing' together brought a common sense of connection.
I guess what I'm trying to write here is that, we all must become ok with the unknowns...not only now but in all our everyday lives. How do I even know that? Every time I felt like I was spinning or lost, or sad, or frustrated or anxious...I prayed. I didn't know what else to do. Sadly, prayer wasn't always my first go to! Sometimes I would just watch the news and be so overwhelmed by fear and sadness, God wasn't on my mind or even on my radar. I'd go to bed sad and wake up feeling the same unknown way. When I started praying more, I realized nothing else had changed. The only thing that had changed, was me.
I saw things differently, bit by bit, day by day. I realized I wasn't laughing as much as I used to. God wanted me to find joy again. When I was all backed up with tears, God wanted me to shed them with Him, and through that cathartic moment, feel His love and support. When I was stressed or really questioning things, through prayer, I would somehow find my way to an answer or a person with good listening ears! 🙂
Yes, everything will look different this year...but God's love never wavers, strays, or disappears. Maya Angelou wrote that "in our foolishness we think we have moved away from God, when in reality God has only moved closer to us."
Let this unknown time bring us closer to God. Everything else will fall where it is supposed to fall. Surrender your unknown to God and God will give you what you need...in abundance!
As we start this new school year, may God bless us all in the unknown.
We will get through this Notre Dame. I know we will!
Take care of yourselves and stay safe! Wear your masks. Don't party with friends. Be healthy. Make good choices!
Chaplain Wayne