by Mason Lopes
Mason Lopes working in class. (Jordyn Pimental)
The pandemic disrupted many people’s lives, including mine, but thanks to a surprising opportunity, I’ve completed my journey back to college.
It all began in 2020 when COVID-19 turned the world upside down. At the time, I was a sales manager and full-time college student, having just moved into a five-bedroom apartment with four friends. Then, everything changed: I lost my job, and the only constant I had left was my college classes at Quincy College.
When I received an email announcing that classes would shift to remote learning, I knew I was in for a challenge. I struggled to stay focused amidst the chaos of the pandemic and my personal life. After some reflection, I decided to drop all my classes and take a break until things settled down.
During that time, I shifted my focus to enjoying life. I hiked multiple times a week and committed to my fitness journey, becoming the healthiest I’d been since my high school sports days. Surprisingly, I found some positives in the lockdown. Six months in, I felt ready to look for a job again. I landed a sales position after just one interview, and it reignited a sense of purpose that had been missing.
As COVID began to wane and schools reopened, the question of returning to college lingered in my mind. My life evolved: I entered a serious relationship, and my girlfriend, a high school guidance counselor, provided the encouragement I needed to continue my education.
One afternoon, I decided, “I’m going to do this.” I visited Cape Cod Community College’s website to apply for classes. That’s when I stumbled upon “Mass Reconnect.” Intrigued, I learned that anyone over 25 without a degree could attend college for free to earn their associate degree. I was shocked – I never imagined I’d have this opportunity.
Now, here I am, writing about my experience. Attending college has been amazing, and my teachers have made it even better. I hope everyone can have a similar experience as I embark on this journey toward my associate degree.