Throughout the fall, we shared a glimpse into what it’s like for our students as they return to school during such a surreal and challenging time. This week, as we near the end of 2020, we checked in with Adwoa, a LEDA Career Fellow who also served as a LEDA Scholar Mentor this past summer at LEDA’s virtual Summer Institute. “I was honored to be a part of the virtual Summer Institute because it allowed me to have a community that I never knew I needed. I created so many memories with my Scholars and the rest of Cohort 16.” Adwoa’s summer experience also included a self-guided, six-mile kayak ride for the first time, adding that to her growing list of hobbies.

Like many students, Adwoa’s school had decided to be fully remote due to the pandemic this semester. At first, this transition was a bit challenging for her, but her positive attitude helped motivate her and shape her experience into a positive one. “The pandemic has affected various aspects of my life in ways I was not expecting it to. Academically, it took some time to adjust to virtual classes because I have had numerous moments of eye fatigue due to prolonged screen time and little to no breaks in between classes. Also, I believe engaging with professors and classmates in person is beneficial for students and is an important factor in college life. Socially, I have had time to appreciate the things I often took for granted, such as spending time with family and going out for walks.” Adwoa hopes to remain focused and aims to overcome any obstacles that she may encounter during the rest of the virtual semester by creating good habits, such as eating healthy, exercising, and trying new hobbies.

One way that Adwoa feels schools and organizations can support their students during the pandemic and the current racial justice movement is through acknowledgment. She encourages these institutions to acknowledge the issues that their students face and provide them a platform to speak up for others in their community.

As we begin to approach the end of 2020, stay tuned for a look back on what LEDA has learned and experienced in a unique year.