“Remember, these are the best days of your lives,” says the woman from the health center moving people into quarantine or the professor on the Zoom call, talking to students who have not even gotten out of bed. That sentiment thousands of college students have heard since their arrival to secondary education is beginning to hold less weight. 

COVID-19 has altered the way an entire generation will learn how to exist in the world. While taking classes this semester many students have asked the question, “What is this for?” Now, the usual answer of “job security” cannot be given. As COVID-19 has completely altered the job market, many students have simply decided not to return to campus for classes or to return to school at all. The “gap year” seems to be coming in alarming popularity as many students feel that they would rather enjoy the college experience mask-free and in person. 

In addition to the feelings that many people have about attending school during a global pandemic, the reality some students face financially has had impacts on whether or not some students can even afford the education they desire. In an article for The Washington Post, Heather Long and Danielle Douglas-Gabriel highlight that some 100,000 high school seniors did not fill out an application for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), after a study was conducted by the National College Attainment Network. 

The reality for these students is quite different than it has been for previous generations. It is difficult to see how the days spent worrying about a global pandemic in addition to classes, the inability to afford classes or the fear of being unable to find a job after graduation, amount to the best days of a young college student’s life. It is necessary, in this time, to take into consideration the incredible pressures young adults are facing as they begin their journey to adulthood and the workforce. 

Yes, these should be “the best days,” for many people, but the unprecedented times that the world has encountered have completely adjusted the ways in which individuals interact and think. At this time, it is important to acknowledge the loss, acknowledge the difficulties and acknowledge the unusual times in which we live. By doing this, a greater community of understanding can be reached. This is vital to inspiring the next generation of students to create better days for all. 

Photo from Flickr