Our new series, Seeing COVID-19 from a Student’s Perspective continues with Ella Foster, a college freshman whose year was interrupted by the pandemic.

With the school year ending, what would you say was your biggest challenge of the 2019-2020 school year?

Aside from adjusting to life at college as a freshman, my biggest challenge this year was coping with the shock of moving back home early and continuing college classes online. Suddenly we were in the midst of a pandemic and I was in my old bedroom attending college classes at the desk I thought I would leave behind as the one where I used to do high school homework. At college, my learning would continue outside of the classroom by attending professor’s office hours and having study sessions with my peers. At home, I was suddenly all alone. My biggest challenge was adjusting physically and mentally back to life at home while trying to maintain stamina for my college courses. 

What is something you wish teachers would know about distance learning?

I wish my professors knew that even though all their students were at home in quarantine, we did not necessarily have more time on our hands for their coursework. Many professors assigned extra reading and assignments, assuming that students had more time to focus on their studies than they typically did at school. I wish my professors understood that at home, students have many more responsibilities as a part of the family unit than they do living alone at school. Many students also live in households with poor wifi, unhealthy relationships at home, or other disadvantages which can be hindering to a student’s capacity to learn. Distance learning should not overload students with extra work based on the assumption that they are bored at home. Instead, educators should use this time to provide stronger support and offer greater flexibility within the curriculum.

How has the pandemic impact you the most?

I consider myself very extroverted, finding my energy and motivation by spending time with my friends and peers. Though I’ve enjoyed spending time with my family at home, the pandemic has affected my mental health while living in isolation away from those who used to inspire me everyday. 

Did you have any internships, college plans, or jobs fall through because of the pandemic? 

I had applied to several internships and part-time jobs that all notified me that they were cancelling their program or closing their stores. I have many friends who also had internships cancelled or shortened due to the pandemic.

How have you been staying in contact with your friends from school?

My friends and I love using Zoom for movie nights and game nights. The clubs and organizations that I’m a part of on campus also kept up with regular meetings over Zoom, which was really nice. Looking forward to club meetings allowed me to feel some regularity to my life during college quarantine. Even my Residence Director hosted game nights for my residence hall so that I could see some familiar faces with whom I lived with back at school.

The country is reopening but COVID-19 is still a risk. How has this impacted your summer plans? 

I usually don’t pack my summer with vacations or plan trips months in advance, so I didn’t lose many set plans when the pandemic began in March. However, I do enjoy spontaneous weekend trips and small adventures. Because of COVID-19 closures, I haven’t been able to take those getaways.

As a result, this summer doesn’t feel normal. I’m still spending most of my time at home.

What do you think about going back to school (whether high school or college) in the fall? 

I’m excited to return because I love college life. At the same time, I feel scared. I know people my age who recovered from COVID-19 but still struggle with respiratory issues. I do not want to contract the virus.

My school has shared plans for social distancing in classrooms and cafeterias. However, I worry about students who commute and may bring the virus to campus.

Next year, I will serve as a Residence Advisor. The school has not clearly defined how I will keep residents safe while encouraging socially distanced interaction.

How have your education plans been changed, if at all, by the pandemic?

My education plans have not changed much. I did consider taking a gap year and weighed the pros and cons. In the end, I decided to continue pursuing my bachelor’s degree at my current institution.

However, many of my friends are reconsidering whether to return to college this fall.

How have you been impacted by COVID-19? Find us on Facebook to share your story!