New Normal for College Students: Life Quarantined
5 MAY 2020 | by Sarah Barnes
Across the United States, college students' daily activities have changed dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most colleges around the world shut down on-campus classes and transitioned to being completely online in March, 2020.
Activities that should have taken place on campus in April and May such as finals, senior-week, and graduation have all been cancelled or postponed. Article
Survey of Our New Normal
On April 28th, 2020, I surveyed over 50 college students to discover any trends in the frequency of specific activities they are partaking in while quarantined.
The 53 students were surveyed in 10 states, majority residing on the east coast, specifically Virginia with 20 students surveyed.
Also, approximately 60% of the participants surveyed were female, which is an accurate representation of the male to female ratio at most liberal arts colleges. Article
Students from the University of Lynchburg had to find their new normal away from campus to finish out the spring semester.
New Normal Testimonials
Senior at the University of Lynchburg, Natalya Rodriquez said she "worked two jobs on campus this past year" and when campus closed down for the semester, her "only source of income disappeared".
According to the survey, most college students are in the same boat as Natalya.
Laura Mason, a sophomore at the University of Lynchburg says "I'm coping with quarantine by hiking and doing DIY craft projects, including painting and building a display for my plants."
Noah Winslow, senior at the University of Lynchburg, was forced to end his baseball season early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the loss of his season, Noah also lost his means of exercise, so in quarantine he has had to get creative and find ways to exercise at home.
Noah said, "for the past month and a half, I have been doing more cardio-based exercises, like running, biking and jump roping outside."
This a trend similar to what the survey results showed.
Looking at the bigger picture, several activities seemed more prone to change, while others stayed the same.
According to the data below, the activities that showed the most change were working (less), and walking outside, Facetiming friends, and using social media (more).
Photography
Many students I surveyed provided me with photographs they have taken while in quarantine.
There are several similar pictures, including people doing DIY/crafting projects, going on hikes with their family, and doing classwork with new classmates (their pets).
Caitlin Dorsch created “The 74th Hunger Games” diorama for her final project for her Westover Dystopian Fiction Colloquium, April 28th, 2020. Caitlin Dorsch | Chesapeake, Virginia.
Sarah Pavlovich juggling a soccer ball in her backyard with her dogs, March 30th, 2020. Sarah Pavlovich | Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Natalya Rodriguez taking University of Lynchburg online final exams while in quarantine, May 5th, 2020. Natalya Rodriguez | Alexandria, Virginia.
Laura Mason, mother, and brother, going on a family hike while in quarantine, May 5th, 2020. Laura Mason | Stafford, VA
Maggie Kaliszak and dog Guinness lounging on the couch on March 26th, 2020. Maggie Kaliszak | New Freedom, Pennsylvania.
Sarah Pavlovich just after going for a run in her neighborhood, March 26th, 2020. Sarah Pavlovich | Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Caitlin Dorsch planning out how to start sewing her quilt of Lynchburg shirts, April, 28th, 2020. Caitlin Dorsch | Chesapeake, Virginia.
Erik Oehler doing a handstand in his back yard to work on his upper body strength while away from the gym, May 6th, 2020. Erik Oehler | Clayton, North Carolina.
Hannah Angelella and her pup Louie studying together for a Microbiology test on April 29th, 2020. Hannah Angelella | Westminster, Maryland.
Laura Mason painted the Blue Ridge mountains while in quarantine because they are her favorite mountains, May 5th, 2020. Laura Mason | Stafford, VA
Maggie Kaliszak enjoying nature with her brother Brian on their weekly walks, April 28th, 2020. Maggie Kaliszak | New Freedom, Pennsylvania
Noah Winslow's workout set up at his home, May 4th, 2020. Noah Winslow | Arlington, Virginia.
Sisters, Maggie and Erin Kaliszak doing a Zoom Q&A with Bachelor alum Mike Johnson on April 28th, 2020. Maggie Kaliszak | New Freedom, Pennsylvania
Laura Mason created a DIY plant wall to show her love for plants, May 5th, 2020. Laura Mason | Stafford, VA
Carley Gregg taking University of Lynchburg classes online while in quarantine with her puppy, April 16th, 2020. Carley Gregg | Newport News, Virginia.
Painting by Maggie Kaliszak for her grandmother who was spending Easter quarantined alone. April 11th, 2020. Maggie Kaliszak, New Freedom, Pennsylvania
In the end, I learned that most college students' lives have changed in one way or another.
While some are working less because they lost their on-campus jobs, others are working more hours as essential workers.
Looking at the different activities measured in my survey, I have learned that not everyone's new normal is the same.
It is important to remember that our current new normal will not be what our lives look like forever, but we should cherish this change of pace and make the most of the time we have together.
Sources:
Natalya Rodriguez University of Lynchburg Senior
rodriguez_n@lynchburg.edu
Noah Winslow University of Lynchburg Senior
winslow_n@lynchburg.edu
Laura Mason University of Lynchburg Sophomore
mason_ln@lynchburg.edu
University of Lynchburg COVID-19 Update
