Lived Experiences of Freshman College Students During a Pandemic

The Novel Virus, COVID-19, has changed many aspects of current lifestyles including school closures, remote learning, and shuttered businesses (Fegert et al, 2020). Data generated from this study focused on how policy regarding the COVID-19 response for university provided supports needed students. University included mask mandates, limitations all social activities. First year freshman students, who attended a 4-year institute in Southeast US, spent presenting their lived experiences college life to researchers. Participants discussed struggles stress that pandemic placed experiences. Key results found despite obstacles caused, by safety policies, these students were demonstrating resilience forging forward educational career. Implications research data leaders effects as they move into endemic.