With the distribution of vaccines starting and more on the way, the end of the dark days seems to be coming to an end. How long this process will take is a different topic of discussion, nonetheless, the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be visible. After covid, I along with thousands of other students my age will begin our journey through college, granting us with new freedoms unavailable before. Personally, I am looking forward to beginning my college experience with the start of post-covid. The students’ energy will be high,  after a long period of quarantining and social gatherings being banned. So here it is, a list of things I want to do after Covid-19; take what you will from it.

1. Go out to large crowded places

I’m talking about an hour wait in line outside restaurants, over crowded seating and dining inside. The memory of worming my way through a crowd has almost completely faded. I can not wait to go out downtown with friends and just not have to worry about spreading a once in a lifetime disease. Concerts will hit on a different level once I can start relating to the party songs of the artist instead of the lonely isolating ones. There are endless other events and places I want to visit.

2. Have an excuse for everything 

My parents are concerned with my going out in college? I missed my upperclassman years of high school.

An employer wants to know a challenge I overcame? Maturing and starting my young adulthood in “uncertain” and difficult times.

My sons want to know why their names are Harry and Ron? I’ll just explain to them they’re dad went through a Harry Potter phase when in Corona isolation. 

There isn’t anything in the upcoming years our age group can’t use Covid as an excuse for. The possibilities are ongoing.

3. Cough in public without feeling like a monster

I miss when a cover from your arm was enough to avoid public scrutiny when coughing. When a sneeze was returned with a “bless you” instead of a worried look from a stranger feet away. 

4. Go on public transit and not drive

To start off, I should clarify that I hate road trips. Driving, basically any long travel that involves a car, is not only nauseating but boring to me. Mentioned before, I miss the feeling of getting on a plane or hopping on the train while travelling. I miss the strange people you witness while on a subway in a large city, or the conversations with your Uber driver while you have several friends squished in the back. 

I was a pretty big Uber user pre-Covid times, with the majority of my money being spent on them. While I can now adjust my spendings more realistically, I look forward to frequently having the opportunity to ride and talk to a nice driver.

5. Not having to have Zoom in my “frequently used” apps

I will be the first to say it, I hate virtual meetings compared to in person. While they are essential right now, I can not wait until everyone is able to socially interact with everyone they meet instead of interacting through a box on a computer screen.

6. The normalization of sweats

Sweatpants have become more than normalized public attire, even in-person events during Covid times, like getting dinner or going to get clothes. They have become much more popular and frequent, with a study showing matching sweatshirt and sweatpants is the most frequently posted outfit on Instagram. I am very grateful for this change as I will enjoy being able to wear sweatpants without being deemed as a mess.

7. Use what I learned in Covid-19 times

I have picked up a few hobbies and new interests myself during Covid that I can’t wait to bring into the real world. Regardless of what these hobbies are personally, countless people in the world can relate to being forced to like things they didn’t before. Whether it be hanging with the fam or having no excuse not to workout, many people have found a way to find some silver lining within the pandemic, which will be hype vibes to bring into post-Covid.

8. Travel to some cool places

If leaving for college wasn’t enough, I want to travel even more. Becoming a legal adult during Covid times has its perks and I can not wait until I am allowed to use them and maybe go spring breaking in Mexico, go skiing in the mountains, or visit a new city. Whatever it may be, I look forward to being able to go on an airplane without getting a swab up my nose before and after. 

While we can not know for certain when these things will be a possibility, the least we can do is hope that it will be soon. I am aware the transition to college and life after Covid will not be sunshine and rainbows, but I am looking forward to being able to spend my time doing small things or big events the way I want to.