by Adam Pfeiffer ‘20

When my high school wrestling career ended on March 7, I was upset. I had lost in the state semifinals by a score of 2-1 to the eventual champion, who went on to destroy his opponent in the finals (who I beat a week prior at the regional tournament), while I had to settle for third place. 

However, I knew that I would soon be able to officially announce my commitment to wrestle at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD), and I was ecstatic, and couldn’t wait to start my new workout routine to prepare for the intensity I know awaits me.

Unfortunately, on March 12, the same day I announced my commitment, and five days after the wrestling season ended, Governor Larry Hogan announced the beginning of the quarantine, heavily limiting my resources, such as the gym or a wrestling club.

For the first several weeks of being stuck inside, I wish I could say I remained dedicated and became creative, finding ways to continue to workout and try to stay in shape, as well as become stronger. I wish I did that, but I didn’t. I allowed my sleep schedule to get off track, waking up in the late morning most days. I then would find something to eat for breakfast, usually something decently healthy. But then, for the next several hours, instead of working out or being productive, I would sit around, watching TV or playing video games, before later hanging out with my friends or girlfriend.

I thought this was simply a result of my circumstances, which to an extent, was true. However, after a talk with my parents, I began to realize that my lack of improvement- athletic and academic- wasn’t due to the pandemic going around. Instead, it was due to a lack of discipline and laziness, both of which are 100-percent under my control.

I rededicated myself, working out with more frequency and intensity, and have created a more structured and organized day, where I try to optimize what I can accomplish. 

It’s not what I wanted, or was hoping to do this spring, and let’s face it, this quarantine sucks. But there is a lesson I’ve learned from this time, and I hope others learn it as well. Simply put, control what you can control. In this time, there is a lot of uncertainty going around, especially with regards to when my fellow seniors will be able to go to college, or even graduate, and nobody knows the answer, and none of us can really control when the world returns to normalcy. It’s a depressing thought, but instead, we can control the few things we still can, and don’t let the virus completely change your lifestyle.

This pandemic will end, eventually. In the meantime, set a goal, and find a way to make yourself better.  Even though the conventional ways of accomplishing things aren’t available, there are alternate ways of self-improvement. Don’t use the pandemic as an excuse as I did, and just do it.