EVENTS

March 2020. The first lockdown…

By chance, I saw an announcement online for the Graduate Program in School Psychology. I skimmed the syllabus and realized I already had the necessary books to take the entrance exams. And so, amidst the unprecedented circumstances of the coronavirus, I began studying for the exams.

The joy I felt when I found out I had succeeded was immense! All my efforts had been rewarded, and a new academic journey began—focused on the field I had always wanted to pursue. Our first meeting with the team and the professors took place in person and filled us with excitement. Yet, the coronavirus had other plans.

But we didn’t let it discourage us! These difficult circumstances didn’t stop us from finding ways to get to know each other, socialize, and ultimately grow fond of one another! Even if those ways involved virtual wine and cocktails behind our screens, hiking on Lycabettus Hill, or picnics at the Megaron. Even on days without classes, our conversations and jokes never stopped—and these moments will connect us forever.

The excitement of the first days never faded. Soon, the first assignments began. Exceptional people, different personalities, new activities, and academic demands.

This meant many, many hours of online meetings daily. Getting to know each other and collaborating happened simultaneously. I don’t recall a single assignment where we stayed only on procedural matters. Laughter was always present, alongside worries, joys, and challenges of life. Although we connected online, it did not prevent us from forming genuine bonds. We shared knowledge, experiences, concerns, goals, and interests. This was our daily life.

Eventually, despite the challenges of the coronavirus era, the time for in-person classes and meetings arrived. The anxiety, awkwardness, and nervousness of direct contact were intense—almost as if we had forgotten what it was like to interact with others beyond the safety of the screen. These feelings, coupled with eagerness, confirmed the true connection that had developed in our group: the care and sharing.

In a way, the daily life of the graduate program—with its connections and mutual support—became experiential training in resilience and empathy, advocacy, and stress management. Two full years. I would start over from the beginning with the same group without hesitation!

The very fact that a journey comes full circle gives a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Especially when it provided daily food for thought, closely related to the program’s academic content and direction, while the experiential aspect was ever-present. This quickly made me feel part of this new group, which, through interactions in and out of the classroom, offered new perspectives on how I can contribute as a professional to a child’s development and to my personal growth as an individual. Despite the difficult moments due to multifaceted circumstances for each of us, I am very happy we reached this point and I thank every individual I interacted with along this journey.

The final bell has rung! Looking back over these years, it is clear that we built strong foundations and set high goals, progressing with the opportunity to continually improve through the knowledge, skills, and practices we learned. Of course, all of this was made possible with the support of our professors, who guided us with warmth, sincerity, and encouragement. Thank you for inspiring us with a thirst for knowledge and new discoveries.

Congratulations to all of us who succeeded, dedicating full attention, care, and love to our assignments, and striving to show children the importance of contribution, continuous effort, inexhaustible enthusiasm, patience, and fairness—and ultimately, how to simply be humanly happy, soaring freely in the clouds of their dreams.

Students:
Arvanitakis Leonidas
Vagianou Ioanna
Garmpidaki Manolia
Giakoumakis Zafeirenia
Gatzonis Asterios
Grypari Erasmia
Davou Marianna
Damianou Theodora-Margarita
Daskalakis Ioannis
Dourou Ioanna
Karampini Aikaterini
Kasimati Maria-Myrto
Kolotourou Nikoleta
Kontra Panagiota
Kypraios Stavros
Konstantinou Charikleia
Lamprou Eirini
Lithadioti Styliani-Malamatennia
Makouli Katerina
Mania Christina-Rafailina
Marre Despoina
Mastoraki Lida-Maria
Bagatela Eleni
Xirogianni Eirini
Peppa Vasiliki
Roufogali Aikaterini
Sarantari-Hatzikostantinou Zoi
Sahpazidou Kyriaki
Tsavdaridi Asimina
Fournioti Marianthi
Foti Magdalini
Chiona Despoina