The new year fills us with both anticipation and discouragement. It’s easy to say that 2020 was not the year we all hoped for, it was an unforgettable year full of struggles and despair. Students were among the many that faced difficulties, quarantine and distance learning were not easy tasks for this impressionable group of people. There are many mixed feelings about the new year coming from these students. How can we feel hopeful after such a devastating year?

It’s natural to feel uneasy about the unknown. We are still in the dark on whether or not we will continue to see difficulties. A student states that she, “… has mixed feelings about the new year.” she “feels anxious about future plans” and fears that this will just be “another year filled with stress about school and family.” But she is also optimistic and believes that this can be “a new year to have fun and grow as a person.” Yes, we may continue to feel the impact that last year left, but we can still look for the light at the end of the tunnel and hope for the best.

Despite past events there are still many who are hopeful that the new year will bring more joy and are able to leave 2020 with a new mindset and view of the world. A sophomore at Cal High tells us that they, “…feel hopeful for the new year and try to stay positive.” They also tell us that they hope to “…return to a bit of normality but also not take for granted what (they) had before.” It may not be easy for us to find what’s good in the world right now but it is certainly worth an effort. It is important to stay optimistic and look to the bright side of our situation.

Though it is difficult to believe that things will get better, it is important to keep faith and trust that the future is bright. There will always be good to come from the bad and hope to keep us striving for the best. We should not fear the future but rather welcome it with open arms.