The Impact of COVID-19 on Students and Their Lives
Mentor 1
Sandra Millon-Underwood
Start Date
10-5-2022 10:00 AM
Description
In March of 2020, students were forced to move from an in-person environment to completely virtual. Having to quarantine at home and limit face-to-face interactions because of the pandemic had long-lasting effects on students. They have had to adjust without so much as a warning. While classes took place online, the few exceptions for campus-use required restrictions, such as social distancing, sanitizing and wearing a mask. It was an unfamiliar situation that caused anxiety, uncertainty and lack of motivation among the students. It’s important to recognize that students continue to feel the weight of COVID-19 as they attempt to recover from two long years of isolation and fear. A project was undertaken to explore the impact of COVID-19 on students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Interviews and video-recordings captured insights about how the pandemic affected students’ research, their personal lives and their academic career. The commentary shared by students involved in this project revealed that the pandemic has taken a toll on their well-being and academic experience. Students commented on the lack of security they felt in their future and a toll taken on their mental health. Also noted were thoughts and disappointments relative to having to limit college experience while attempting to make the most of their undergraduate career. They described feeling overwhelmed with school, on top of having to maintain relationships with friends and family members. This work emphasizes the importance of support for students in these drastic times.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Students and Their Lives
In March of 2020, students were forced to move from an in-person environment to completely virtual. Having to quarantine at home and limit face-to-face interactions because of the pandemic had long-lasting effects on students. They have had to adjust without so much as a warning. While classes took place online, the few exceptions for campus-use required restrictions, such as social distancing, sanitizing and wearing a mask. It was an unfamiliar situation that caused anxiety, uncertainty and lack of motivation among the students. It’s important to recognize that students continue to feel the weight of COVID-19 as they attempt to recover from two long years of isolation and fear. A project was undertaken to explore the impact of COVID-19 on students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Interviews and video-recordings captured insights about how the pandemic affected students’ research, their personal lives and their academic career. The commentary shared by students involved in this project revealed that the pandemic has taken a toll on their well-being and academic experience. Students commented on the lack of security they felt in their future and a toll taken on their mental health. Also noted were thoughts and disappointments relative to having to limit college experience while attempting to make the most of their undergraduate career. They described feeling overwhelmed with school, on top of having to maintain relationships with friends and family members. This work emphasizes the importance of support for students in these drastic times.
