Evolve and adapt. The definition of the first word includes language such as, “the process by which living organisms are thought to have developed.” The definition of adapt is “to become adjusted to new conditions.” Definitions are great, but at the end of the day they are just words on paper. I am a firm believer that experience is a better teacher than any dictionary, and is there any subset of people with a more intimate knowledge of these two words than a group of MBA students thrown unexpectedly into a virtual learning environment?
I remember the disappointment I felt when first learning with certainty that our classes would switch to a virtual format. I am NOT an online learner. Despite my naturally introverted tendencies, a classroom environment would always trump a computer learning environment for me. However, I believe that it is when we are thrown into a situation and forced to figure it out that we learn the most about ourselves.
When I was six years old, I was terrified of jumping off the diving board. I could watch other people do it. I could read instructions on how to swim, but there was no way for me to know exactly how it would feel, or what would happen when I jumped. As I stood at the top of the diving board at the local swimming pool, I could tell my instructor was annoyed. “Just jump! I am right here. You won’t even go underwater.” But I wouldn’t budge. At this point, the line of kids climbing up the ladder was starting to grow. Then something happened that would force the situation and change everything.
You see, at that time, maybe the ONLY thing I was more scared of than jumping into the deep end of the swimming pool was getting stung by a bee. Out of nowhere, a massive wasp started to buzz by my ear, I turned to run down the ladder, but it was full of kids. The wasp was buzzing around my face, I had no where to go. There was nothing left to do but jump. Without even thinking, I ran (screaming my 6-year-old head off) to the end of that diving board and leapt, soaring clear over my instructor’s head and the safety buoy she was holding. I plunged deep into the water, sprang up to the surface, and swam as fast as I could to the edge of the pool to escape certain death by bee sting. Only then did I realize, jumping off the diving board was not only easy, it was a blast!
Let COVID be your wasp. Use the adversity as an opportunity to learn, evolve, and grow. Virtual learning was never a swimming pool that any of us wanted to jump into. Now that we’re forced to jump, be sure to swim, not sink. Some may swim better than others, if you are one of those people, be sure to use your strengths to help your fellow classmates.
So, in the end, embrace the Zoom calls, attend all of the virtual events you can, learn a new hobby, get outside and walk every day, seek help when you need it, send that random message to a classmate just to check in. Above all, understand that you are a part of an elite group of business students in a world class program. Through this experience you are adapting and evolving, and you will come out on the other side of this adversity stronger with skills that other people don’t have. Most importantly, never forget: You are a Spartan.