Graphic by Bell Jackson Dear readers,
Welcome back to another semester at Montevallo.
I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that last semester was rocky.
2020 was one of the worst years of my life, from financial problems to both of my parents getting COVID-19. I didn’t get to enjoy the last semester of my junior year or go to my best friend’s graduation or celebrate my birthday. I didn’t know what I was missing out on until I didn’t have it anymore. The bricks of Montevallo have been a home for me for three years, and it was yanked from under me, and for so many others on this campus, situations were just as bad or even worse.
However, I came into 2021 the happiest I’ve ever been. 2020 kicked me when I was down, but if it taught me anything, it was to smell the roses.
This pandemic is unbelievably frustrating, and it’s still not over. We’re almost a year into it, and I am hoping for the best, but I realized I should be more appreciative of everything I have. The opportunity I have to be at this institution, to study what I do, to have this job and to have such amazing people in my life is something I should recognize more often.
So, while I’m hitting the books this semester and staying up late doing my homework after a day of work, or stressing out about grad school, I’ll still be just a little bit happy about being able to study at all this year.
It’s definitely not ideal circumstances, but just thinking about the joy I’ll have after the pandemic is over and life slowly becomes normal is so overwhelming.
For those of you who are brand new to campus or a graduating senior, I encourage you to try your best this semester.
In the meantime, I implore you readers see what The Alabamian has to offer. Sports, news, entertainment – we have it all.
Want a show recommendation? Read Noah’s article on “Wandavision.”
Want to see what your fellow students are up to? Read Hannah’s feature on Alexis Martinez.
Want to know what’s going on in Montevallo or on-campus? The world? We’ve got articles for that too.
The Alabamian has opportunities for writers and artists and photographers and designers to shine, so I will of course tell you to join our meetings on Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
If you want to keep up with us, follow us on social media, check out or website update and watch out for our new podcast in the coming weeks!
Best of luck this semester.
Sincerely,
Zoe Hall
Editor in chief
Ariel Hall is a writer for The Alabamian. She is a senior communication studies major and enjoys reading and photography in her free time. Previously, Zoe has acted as editor in chief, lifestyles editor and advice columnist.
