Vaanya Tewathia

Abstract Inspirational Children

4.0  

Vaanya Tewathia

Abstract Inspirational Children

The Pandemic: A Student’s Struggle

The Pandemic: A Student’s Struggle

3 mins
168


I vividly remember the wild 24 hours from when I received the email that I would spend the rest of my spring semester of college at home, to the moment I stepped off my plane and greeted my family. I had just finished hosting my radio show and was sitting with a few of my friends when I read the email. It was somewhat apocalyptic: as I walked to my dorm, everyone was on their phone, talking to their parents, crying, and hugging. The next 18 hours were filled with prepping for midterms, saying goodbye, and trying to pack up my college life in one small duffel bag, all while trying to squeeze in the social (okay partying) aspects of my college experience.

While virtually every person has been affected by the pandemic, students have suffered an exceptionally great deal of uncertainty, anxiety, boredom, loneliness, and instability. Personally, the effects of remote learning and social isolation, surrounding my education and social life have caused my mental health to deteriorate. While I have long suffered from anxiety, the current conditions of the world make it unclear for me, and my peers, to accurately label what we are feeling as I can never tell if our emotions are contextual or long-term.

Perhaps the most tolling mental health effects that the pandemic created is a sense of chronic stress, anxiety, and general distrust in the nation. This paranoid and pessimistic mindset, paired with the lack of structure and routine, can be detrimental to the emotional, social, and intellectual growth of adolescents. The anxiety produced from the pandemic manifests in a variety of mindsets: socially, academically, and personally. In an attempt to understand the perspectives of my peers and their own struggles, I interviewed several of my adolescent classmates.


- Lena Schneck, NMHIC Intern

(True Story)


Epilogue


Although online learning has its upsides, there has been more emphasis on the downsides. First of all, the mental health of the students is a huge concern. Secondly, less privileged and financially challenged students are struggling with virtual teaching. Moreover, some students’ grades are slipping during the pandemic. Routine used to be the backbone for students. Now, with this sudden halt in life, everything is ten times more stressful. Students are now exposed, more than ever, to distraction. Not being focused on studies and not having a full commitment towards it is also the main reason for the lowering grades.

Even after all the hassle, we have to stay strong. I know for a fact that the outcome of the hardships of all my fellow teachers and schoolmates will not go to waste, and will definitely be worth it. It has surely been a bumpy ride and the progress has been somewhat…turbulent, but I know we’ll achieve our goals. The pandemic has taught us a lesson of hope and faith, but also the one of unity and determination. We have to develop a fighting spirit in order to overcome adversity.

I hope we get rid of this virus and stop its disastrous impact. 


Rate this content
Log in

Similar english story from Abstract