Life transitions are a point in someone’s life where change is continuous and adapting is a necessity. Even when they say that this change can possibly transform our lives for the good, adapting can still be much toilsome.

As for a student like me, the  new normal in my campus is a bit challenging. During the  pre-pandemic, the students are free in doing whatever academic activities that they want to do in the campus. Students can attend physically to their specific classes like running to and fro just to get to their room, interact with their block mates, and they can associate with their organization’s events. Do you hear yourself now screaming during the Intramurals? I bet so. Or are you the type of student who’s busy organizing things up for events? Or the dancerous-bubbly friend always swagging her style in the lobby? That must be fun to see, right? People can exchange genuine smiles and gestures while relating to each of their struggles and victories as a student.

However, in  the new normal, my campus is no longer operating the same as before. A lot of things changed, and many of the intangibles that can only be felt by the heart are no longer there. You can feel the unease when you step into your campus as you won’t be able to enjoy the fresh air in the quadrangle, won’t be able to warmly greet the security guards with a high-five, some utility personnels, and your instructors that come along. You cannot feel the warmth of everyone because all you see are their face masks and face shields on indirectly telling you to ‘stay one meter apart, dude’. It can also be painful to think when you can no longer hug your beloved friends, unless they permit, especially at times when you need immediate comfort. Instead of catching up with your friends, you have to distance yourself due to safety protocols that the campus is implementing. How sad that this pandemic is stealing the best personal interactions we can make with classmates, friends, and teachers.

It has been quite a lot in the school now. Only those teachers and personnel can enter the place at a scheduled time so they can continually serve their students. The educational platform is giving us modules to work on at a certain deadline, and they are seriously many piles. The fact that I don’t have my classmates and instructors to guide me especially in my tough subjects makes me load a cup of tears. Group projects are horrible to think because your groupmates are in the other side of the mountain—meet ups are difficult. You add up how it’s hard for me to get by with the unstable internet connection. Many students are having a hard time to cope up with the new learning style, while others are still holding on to the hope that everything will be alright soon. The struggle is real, but what can we do other than to press on, right?

True enough, some of the doors are closed now that the new normal is around. But in these trying times, one must realize that for every closed door, there is a new opportunity to be unlocked, experienced, and cherished. Everything is temporary, so let’s try our best to support one another, and improvise every opportunity possible just to help and lift each one up (Ecc. 4:10). The things that were once normal to us are about to be history years from now. But what comforts me is knowing that in  God’s perfect time, He will prove  that His ways are not our ways, and His plans are way better than our plans. Ready or not, we will all go through a lot of transitions in our lives, and it is still the same good God who is and will always be in control.

“I thank and praise the Lord that because of this pandemic, I’ve got to meet my Ecclesiastes 4:10 small group, my PSALM-COC and AIG family. Because of them, my journey with the Lord became more colorful and exciting. After all, the true essence of the Gospel is meant to be shared. Even with all the negativities and uncertainties around, I still get to grow little by little, and see the beauty of change, and be blessed for all that the Lord has been doing to me and to the people around me.”