Anytime we go into something new, we always try to predict the outcome. Even though we know there is no way to control it. For example, it may be something as big as entering a college event; that we all wish we could control.   To get a feel for the difference between expectations and reality.

With the many restrictions and changes caused by the coronavirus pandemic over the last nine months this can be particularly true for students who are early on in the college careers.

Mia Lochasvio, a sophomore I interviewed said

“Nothing too out of the ordinary was different for me this semester,” Loschiavo said. “It was pretty much how I expected it to go.”

For Brooke Klein, the shift has been more drastic.

“This semester is a little different than I expected,” Klein said. “Of course no one could have predicted COVID to change our lives this much, but it just seems unreal.”

COVID-19 most definitely had a huge impact on everyone’s lives and how I go about our day-to-day routines, Katherine Pappas said.

“It is a little bit different than I expected.”

With any big change comes strong emotions, Lochasvio said.

“Overall, my semester was pretty good and surprisingly seemed to fly by.”

Everyone seems to be overworked and tired from everything happening in the world, a little peace might be nice, Klein said.

“My semester has been pretty easy considering the circumstances,” Klein said. “Definitely would have been a little smoother without COVID.”

For Pappas things turned out a little different.

“My semester was pretty average overall, but towards the end kind of went downhill,” Pappas said. “It seems like everyone’s stress levels have gone through the roof, including mine.” 

Even though these stressful circumstances quickly came out of nowhere, people were curious if these students would have done anything differently this semester.

Loschavio said

“I don’t think I have any control to change anything that happened this semester.” Although we may get stressed out about the things we can not control, considering these circumstances during the pandemic, there is absolutely nothing to do about the changes, Klein said.

“If I knew this big change was coming this semester, I would have stayed in online classes from the beginning.”There is nothing anyone could have done to predict these extreme changes and stressful events of 2020, Pappas said.

“I wish I had been a little bit more organized this semester.”

Overall, everyone’s stress levels have been crazy, and no one really seems to know what to do anymore. There is no way to predict what will come next, and things may get worse or better in the near future, Lochasvio said.

“This semester was most definitely one of the hardest ones for me, especially for my mental health.” No matter what type of stressful situation is occurring in our lives, it is almost impossible to determine how our minds will react, Klein said.

“School has always stressed me out a little bit, but nothing like this,” she said. “I have been so extremely stressed this semester and just completely drained mentally and physically.”

Especially when a stressful event changes something that consumes most of our life, it can be even harder on our mental health, Pappas said.

“During the beginning of the semester, it wasn’t too bad, and I felt prepared for school as a whole.”

 High schoolers’ minds are racing from the beginning of their freshmen years, deciding what they want to do after graduation, where to go for college, and what kind of career they want for the rest of their lives. At any age, making these types of life changing decisions are difficult, especially when you start thinking about them at 16 years old. 

When being told to make the decision for your career choice, students are often told to choose something that interests them, or that is similar to what they are used to or good at. However, some interests do not always offer the best opportunities in careers post-graduation.

Sarah Kobler, a sophomore at Hilbert College, is studying political science.

Mia Loshiavo, also a sophomore, studies criminal justice.

Jake Pericak, a freshman at SUNY Geneseo, studies biology and pre-med. After graduation, all three students will have several opportunities when making a career choice. 

With a degree in political science, Sarah Kobler will be qualified to work as a paralegal, legislator, lobbyist, or analyst, among other opportunities. “My goal after my first four years of school, I plan to go to grad school, and eventually become an attorney,” Kobler said.

Mia Loschiavo, a sophomore criminal justice major, said … paraphrase what she said.,

“Once I graduate I will be able to pursue a career in law enforcement, an investigator, a correctional officer, and many other positions,” Loschiavo said. “I plan on doing something with law enforcement or joining the FBI.”

Jake Pericak, a freshman at SUNY Geneseo studying biology, said that he has a lot of plans for his future.

“When I graduate from med school,” Pericak said. “I will have several opportunities, I could go into any job in the medical field, from a nurse to a neurosurgeon. But I want to take it a step further, go for more schooling, and become an eye doctor.” 

Sometimes, when students major in something that requires less qualifications, to get ahead of the game they will get a job during school that relates to their career later in life. In these students’ cases, all careers require more schooling and a degree beforehand. In other majors, like art or music, it is easier to find a job during school to gain more experience. 

When it comes to majors that require more schooling, it is recommended or required for students to complete an internship for experience and more job opportunities, Kobler said.

“I have already started internships and I am currently applying for more to complete before graduation,” She added. “I have been doing internships with different politicians around the area, and soon I will be starting an internship with a lobbyist. This gives me more experience and a better feel for what I am in for once I graduate.”

For Loschiavo, it is a little different.

“I am currently not completing any internships and I do not think I am ready to,” Loschiavo said. “However, sometime next year I plan to research the different options I have and pick one that really interests me.”

Pericak said he will get plenty of professional training in the medical field as he moves through his education.

“I am currently not enrolled in any internships either,” Pericak said. “I have twelve years of school ahead of me, and I have a lot of time to research and decide on the best fit for me.” 

Most times, because we are told from such a young age to choose a major we have always been interested in, students will decide on something and stick with it. Although there is nothing wrong with changing your mind or switching your major, it is usually something we have been interested in since a pretty young age. However, all three interviewees stated that even before high school, they knew their major choice was something they wanted to do.

Besides students having jobs relating to their career choice, they can also form hobbies to educate them more on what they are studying.

“Some hobbies I enjoy outside of school are being an activist for different movements and topics that I am passionate about,” Kobler said.

Loschiavo said her outside interests also fall in line with her major and career plans.

“Outside of school, I love watching different crime shows and learning about and researching different, interesting cases,” Loshiavo said.

As you can see, there are so many different career options no matter what major a student may choose, the hardest part is just being able to pick which one you want to pursue. On the other hand, there is always time to change direction, and at no point in time are you stuck with one career for the rest of your life. 

For Pericak, his hobbies fall outside the purview of his working future, he said.

“I don’t really have many hobbies that pertain to my major right now, as it is still my first year of college and there are not many hobbies and activities relating to things in the medical field,” Pericak said.