Humans of LQHS: Michael Barsoumian’s perspective of life during the pandemic

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Photo courtesy of Michael Barsoumian; Design by Christian Romero

Getting kicked out of class. Internet shutting off. Being automatically sorted into groups with strangers. Not being able to hear the teacher speak. Signing in using a Google Form. That weird feeling of turning on your camera so that everyone can see you and to confirm you’re not asleep. 

This is just a glimpse of what it’s like to start high school through Zoom. 

Michael Barsoumian ‘24 is a freshman student at La Quinta High School. There’s no doubt that his first year of high school has had some crazy times in the midst of the pandemic. 

“During the beginning of the school year when everyone was getting used to everything,” he said.“There were a lot of Zoom bombers who would join classes and interrupt the class playing loud music or talking inappropriately.” 

And yet despite the occasional awkwardness from distance learning, Barsoumian has picked up on a few lessons this semester. 

I’d say like, stay away from procrastinating,” he said, “especially because I’ve been doing good for a while now.” 

Barsoumian explained that he had started to procrastinate on his school assignments at the beginning of the semester, and it took a toll on his grades.

His procrastination came from pushing off assignments for later because there was usually something else he would rather be doing— and sometimes, put simply, he just doesn’t want to do them.

Outside of school, the pandemic has also affected his personal life: he’s unable to meet with his friends to create new and fun memories. 

“The [pandemic] has deeply affected my life negatively; however, it has also given me things I believe I would’ve never had without it,” he said. ”For example, seeing my friends now feels so special because I haven’t seen them in such a long time. When COVID-19 first started, I wasn’t able to see my best friend for about six months and eventually, on his birthday I hung out with him and it just felt so great and refreshing.”

With more time on his hands, he’s also taken up practicing the guitar—specifically “Creep” by Radiohead. It’s brought him joy by distracting him from everything going on.

He hopes for the pandemic to be over soon.

“It’s just taking a toll on everyone’s lives. And it’s annoying,” said Barsoumian. “It’s getting harder and harder. Yeah, it’s annoying. And it has caused some mental instabilities for some people around us.”

Humans of La Quinta High School is an ongoing series featuring Blackhawk students and staff. Follow us on Instagram @humansoflqhs and Twitter @lqhawkview