When a pandemic upends your world
Young Adults in Their Own Words
MOST high school and university students are at low risk physically from COVID-19, but there could be a crisis for many with their mental health. Extreme loneliness and isolation, uncertainty about the economy and high unemployment are all factors. So is sadness and grief over losses such as missed graduations, team tournaments and proms, significant events that can’t simply be rescheduled. And because they are probably last in line for a vaccination, will this wipe out their hopes of summer camps and holidays and keep high schools and universities shuttered to in-person classes this fall?
Three students told us how lockdown has affected them and how they are coping.
William, 20, in Toronto. I am currently in my third year of university and while online school works, I cannot wait to return to in-person classes. I certainly feel bad for any students that are struggling right now and for those in first year who are missing out on valuable introductory events, such as a frosh week. As someone who commutes to school, I was hoping to engage more with campus life and possibly check out some more of our school’s clubs. Most of all I miss people, quality time one-on-one, and nights out with a group of friends. While I have contracted COVID, I am very thankful that it wasn’t too severe, however it has taken a toll. It was very exhausting and it was very difficult to be productive or social, even virtually. I’m an essential worker and every time I come home from my part-time job, I worry about my parents getting COVID. I’m majoring in Cinema and Media Studies and with only online courses it’s been very difficult staying organized and on top of things. It’s also become a lot more difficult to communicate with professors. The workload has been more stressful all around. My family, my girlfriend, and my closest friends have been very supportive. I’ve tried to stay connected with friends through various forms of social media; our circle has gotten smaller but it is closer. I am very grateful for how connected we are with our church; our family is very engaged with the ministry and many people in the congregation. I really value spending quality time with those closest to me and I miss it very much. Feeling lonely has been all too easy. When the pandemic is over, I’m especially looking forward to spending more time with people again, maintaining close relationships, and cherishing ever second of it!
Tyler, 19, in the Kingston area. Before the pandemic struck, I played on the football and rugby teams and was in the school musical. I graduated high school the year before COVID struck so my prom and graduation were as planned, thankfully. My life back then just felt normal. I enjoyed summer camp and hanging out with friends. Nothing crazy happening but at least I had the freedom to see who I wanted to see, something that now we can’t do. I phone and do FaceTime as much as I can but I’ve lost contact with some friends. I had planned to take a college course in radio broadcasting last fall, but it’s much harder to learn online–in fact I find it impossible. So I decided to take a year off of school and hope I can take regular classes this fall. And the pandemic has made my part-time jobs harder with all the new restrictions. On the plus side, I’ve been working out, developing a podcast with a friend, and getting to know myself better. My family and my two best friends have been very supportive. My dad’s a pastor so that’s helpful. I had a scare earlier on in the pandemic but I doubt it was Covid-19. My parents are generally healthy but I’m more worried about my grandparents. I’m mainly looking forward to meeting new people and making new relationships.
Amanda, 16, in eastern Ontario. My last holiday was to Bible camp in 2019. I miss it and hope it runs this year. I’m in grade 11 and before the pandemic I played volleyball and rugby. I miss hanging out in large groups of people and visiting Canada’s Wonderland. I have stayed connected with my friends through social media and hanging out one-on-one or in small groups when it was allowed. I work at a grocery store and we have a lot more cleaning measures in place like washing our hands every half hour. I only had a few weeks of online learning but I loved it so much; it was really great for me. I love math and science and my new law class. I am more hopeful with the vaccine coming. I hope we can get it out quickly so things can go back to normal. I am looking forward to camp. Camp helps me connect more with God and Christian youth my age. TAP
