Reflections from the class of 2020 — Assembly

(Illustration by Astrid Caballeros / Malala Fund)

Girls from Australia, Colombia, India, Japan and more discuss their plans for the future and what it’s like to graduate during a pandemic.

Their final year isn’t what they expected, but the class of 2020 is still finding creative ways to celebrate their accomplishments. Remote-controlled robots are accepting diplomas, schools are holding drive-through ceremonies and graduates are celebrating in front of computer screens with virtual commencements.

We wanted to hear more from students around the world about what it’s like at this turning point in their lives — and in history. We asked graduates in Australia, Colombia, India, Japan, Mexico and Spain to reflect on their time at school, share words of wisdom and discuss the impact of the pandemic on their lives. Their answers reflect the determination and optimism of a generation ready to take the reins and build a brighter future for us all.

Snigdha, 17, India

When I think back on high school, I remember...

Learning new stuff and having meaningful relationships with teachers and friends. All of it was a demanding journey, yet rewarding. As an introvert, it put me in social situations that I wouldn’t normally be in, but I enjoyed them in the long run. All in all, an arduous but a gratifying sojourn so far.

The most important lesson I learned in high school is….

That it’s OK to fail sometimes. Growing up, one was always told how to deal with success but failure was never spoken of. When I confronted failure, my immediate response was disappointment and sadness, but later on, I realized that at least I’m discovering where I went wrong and that there's scope for growth. As cliché as it sounds, “When you hit rock-bottom, there’s no other way to go than up!” Failure gave me an opportunity to begin again in a more clever way.

Because of the COVID-19 crisis...

Sadly I can’t celebrate my graduation until I know my exam results and that won't be available anytime soon. So, right now the only plan I have is to prepare for the upcoming competitive exams. I'll admit that I had a small dance party for my upcoming graduation by myself at home, the best a wallflower could do.

Sabina, 17, Australia

The most important lesson I learned in high school is….

Be your own best friend. Throughout high school, I’ve had to unlearn the idea that I should be my harshest critic if I want to grow. Give yourself permission to be kind to yourself. Get to know yourself and your own boundaries really well — that way, you know when you’re pushing yourself too hard or if you’re not pushing yourself enough!

Because of the COVID-19 crisis...

Uncertainty is definitely the prevailing sentiment amongst our cohort with graduation being a semester away for us Australians. Many of us are still unsure about what will happen to the rest of our studies, end-of-year exams and our university applications. We’ll also be missing out on a lot of the school traditions that make year 12 so special! My fingers are crossed that the crisis calms down by September so my cohort can still finish and celebrate our final year all together.

After graduation, I plan to...

“Schoolies” is a big deal for many young Aussies, where graduates traditionally go on a week-long holiday after sitting their final exams. Though the coronavirus will probably delay that for our cohort, I still hope to travel sometime after graduation! I also plan to study economics, and politics or international relations at university. Besides that, I’d love to work on initiatives that encourage culturally and linguistically diverse migrant communities to get involved and become included in the political process here in Australia.

Mariana, 17, Colombia

The most important lesson I learned in high school is….

Persevere and tolerate frustration. As Thomas A. Edison said, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

Because of the COVID-19 crisis...

My senior year plans are absolutely upside-down. I get dizzy every time I think about it. However, it has allowed me to know a completely new world of technology that, maybe, is a clue of how our life as working adults will be. About graduation… Well, it's still very uncertain, but the most important thing is that I learned what I learned and, having a graduation or not, no one will take it away from me.

After graduation, I hope...

To enter the university in the first semester of 2021 to study social communications and international relations. In the six months I will be free, I would like to volunteer and/or learn a new ability — like a new language, cooking or martial arts.

Shiori, 23, Japan

What stands out to me the most from my high school experience is...

Studying the collaboration between legal, Chinese and AI (artificial intelligence) fields. Classroom lectures and extracurricular activities helped me deepen my understanding of these fields. In particular, I participated in a small class seminar about intellectual property and got a chance to visit European countries to study patent strategy. I went to China through short-term study abroad programs for University of Tokyo students to create personal connections in China and I was appointed as the Japan-China Friendship Youth Ambassador. I also qualified to visit the International Legal Technology Association and I saw the advanced legal technology.

The COVID-19 crisis...

Did not have very much impact on my final year. However, graduation ceremony and commencement ceremony were canceled and professors presented each graduate with a diploma in classroom to make countermeasure for the viral infection. Also, social gathering or class reunion after graduation were all canceled.

After graduation, I hope to become...

A lawyer, which has been my dream since childhood. When I was in my third year of junior high school, I started to study about false conviction cases caused by the Japanese judicial system and I realized the necessity of changing the traditional legal models. And through my university life, I am preparing for the introduction of AI to the legal world after I become a lawyer. I would like to develop novel technologies for the legal service using big data containing dataset on law interpretation and precedents. I passed the Japan pre-bar exam while still in college.

Hafsa, 18, Spain

What stands out to me the most from my high school experience are...

The things I have learnt about myself. I have managed to discover my own working style and realize the things that make me happy. I have also learnt to be more confident about myself as well as empathic and nice to the people around me.

The most important lesson I learned in high school is….

That there is always time for everything. Work hard but never forget to take care of yourself, because you are your own priority.

Because of the COVID-19 crisis...

Our university entrance exam has been postponed, which means that our summer vacations will be shorter. I do not know if we will go back to my high school again. All this uncertainty makes me somehow nervous, but I hope for the best.

After graduation, I hope to...

Create my own YouTube channel to create content that can inspire other people. I am also planning on going to university and studying business and economics so that I can encourage people’s ideas and projects.

Mariajose, 18, Mexico

When I think back on high school, what stands out most is...

My class. I would not change it for anything. This year, since we are the oldest kids in all school, my class was in charge of doing a lot of fun activities for all the school and I had a lot of fun being part of them. The memories bring me joy.

Two of my favorite activities that we planned were on Christmas and Valentine’s Day. On Christmas, we made a talent show and almost every classroom participated. Also, there were games where you could win candy and other gifts. Every classroom had to make a stand of food or games depending on what they were assigned. On Valentine’s, we gave out flowers, cards, and chocolates.

The most important lesson I learned in high school is….

That being responsible, kind and always working hard can get you very far. Your friends will always have your back when you most need it. And the last lesson that I learned was how to balance being a good student and having free time for my friends and family. Since I was little, my mom has always pushed me and my sisters to be good students and to love learning. This year, since it is my last year, I wanted to go out more with my friends, so in the beginning of the year I wasn't putting all my effort into school. I soon realized what I was doing and what I decided to do is to work really hard on school every day of the week and take Friday and Saturday as “day offs” so I could be with my friends and family.

Because of the COVID-19 crisis...

This week, my school announced that my school year will be completely canceled, that after quarantine we will not be going back to normal classes. That affected me and my whole class, because we will not have those memorable last classes before university. We will start another chapter of our lives without completely closing another one. It makes me feel frustrated and very unhappy since me and all my best friends will be going to different cities to study college and I still want to make a lot of plans with them and enjoy my last few weekends with them. Also, I will never see my favorite teachers again, and I will not be able to thank them for all they have taught them.

Kaoru, 19, Japan

An important high school experience for me was....

FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition). This is not a school activity, so I took part in it voluntarily. It was of great value to me. This activity broadened my international perspective and provided experiences that ordinary Japanese high school students cannot do. Limiting it to my school activities, what influenced me was being in the orchestra club. I get to know the joy of collaborating with others to create one melody.

The most important lesson I learned is….

"Many a little makes a mickle." Homework should not be so difficult if I do it systematically little by little, but it was hard to do when I let it accumulate.

Because of the COVID-19 crisis...

The graduation ceremony was canceled. We had no classes since January because we had entrance exams. Therefore, I graduated without being reluctant to part with my friends. I also couldn't play with friends after graduation. I was very sad. Now, I think the judgment of my school at that time was the best way to protect the lives of people around us. I can't see into the future because the infection is more widespread than when I was graduating in March, but I promise to go out with my friends after the situation calms down.

Anukriti, 17, India

What stands out to me the most from my high school experience is...

The life lessons I learnt and the memories I made. The words of wisdom and guidance from teachers and timeless memories made with friends seem to last longer than the academic struggles I faced.

The most important lesson I learned is….

That one must believe in themselves. Hiding behind in the shadow, hoping that things will get better is not going to get you anywhere and will keep you shrouded in the fear of trying new things. Stepping out of your comfort zone, with self-confidence and self-reassurance might be tricky initially, but I’ve learnt that it can take you far.

In the future I want to...

Graduate from university with a degree in English. But my plans after that still remain uncertain. The vast possibilities with a degree in English makes it impossible to choose one sole profession. I do want to leave a mark somewhere and perhaps change the views of people about stigmatized topics. However the path to achieving that still remains uncertain.