For many students, the 2019-2020 academic year was supposed to be “la crème de la crème”, the perfect farewell before we step into the real world. But what happens when that farewell is spoiled by unforeseen circumstances?

A spark was ignited on the 17^th of October 2019, intending to grow into a flame and ravage everything in its way so something new could be built. Many universities, including USJ, decided to support the movement by halting courses for a period of time while students participated in attempting to change the country. After all, what’s the use of a diploma if you can’t use it to find a job? So, the first semester of our last year in university got swept up in the excitement and the fight for basic human rights, and we ended up cramming makeup sessions before finals in order to finish. We did the impossible and finished two months’ worth of courses in two weeks.

Then with the new decade, everything calmed down relatively and we looked forward to the second and final semester. It started off perfect; classes were amazing, we had something to look forward to despite the deteriorating situation, and job applications were being sent out, all while a devious disease was lurking around the corner, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Strike, it did. The Coronavirus spread faster than lightning. One day we were in class learning, the next we were in our homes still learning, all thanks to Zoom. We were still waking up early, still stressing over assignments and exams, just from the comfort of our home. Now everything hangs in the balance, including our future. Let’s just hope we don’t also have to graduate online.

Line Chokor

M4 - Traducteur-Rédacteur