Education and Disaster: Experiences of College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

To gain insight into the ways crises impact college students, we examine the experiences of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. While COVID-19 was a complex event, other natural and man-made disasters occur with regularity and can similarly impact students’ lives. What educators learn about student experiences during times of crisis will contribute to a holistic understanding of students’ needs. Using survey results from 790 students who attended a midwestern university, the findings reveal substantial levels of student stress related to illness, family responsibilities, changes in work and school environments, access to technology, healthcare, housing, and the ability to pay bills.