By Nusayba Eli-Ali

Reflecting on the beginning of my journey at UH in 2020, I can honestly admit that the period between the end of my senior year in high school and the start of my freshman year in college is mostly hazy.

With the start of the Pandemic and lockdown, time, for many and most of us, went by fast and slow at the same time. I had just graduated high school and was patiently awaiting the start of my freshman year. Having nothing really to do, I picked up reading, baking, and making Tiktok videos, just as many others in my position had been.

As I look back to those days, I am reminded of the saying, “The days are long but the years are short,” which was shared with me by a classmate who I met during that time. Somewhat bored by the repetitive days, I was excited for August and to start my time at UH.

I knew that our incoming class' experience would not be standard, given the conditions at the time. I recall signing up for an online orientation, virtually meeting my professors and classmates, and initially feeling disconnected. It was difficult to make a friend when all you see is a name on a computer screen.

Noticing our discomfort, I remember my professors at the time reminiscing about what class was like back in person. I listened to them intently, hoping that I could one day experience that too. Apart from the initial feelings of disconnect, learning engineering topics as a freshman proved to be quite challenging. It was difficult for professors and students alike to navigate an online environment of learning.

With time, I found that as we collectively faced these struggles, students, professors, and staff alike grew closer together. Having firsthand experience with complete online learning, I saw many classmates being friendly and engaging with one another.

When we transitioned to full in-person classes, we did not take it for granted and worked hard, eager to give back in our own ways. Now, I look at my classmates and am so inspired from what they all have accomplished and contributed to the school and their peers.

Although our experience was far from standard, I also think that the class of 2024 is far from standard. We are an exceptional class who faced unprecedented challenges. Not only did we face those challenges, but we learned from them and used them to fuel our drive for the future.