How are Kean students coping with the pandemic?

By Tiye Bracy | Published by October 23, 2020

When COVID-19 reached America, it drastically changed people’s way of life. Students had to cope with this shift in society.

The pandemic definitely impacted students and the school systems. Students received an email in August from President Lamont Repollet regarding an update on the reopening of Kean University. It was then students learned about the phases and four types of learning formats this semester. The formats are remote, online, face-to-face, and hybrid. 30% of classes are face-to-face that started on Sept. 21. Many classes are currently remote.

Students are taking different approaches to adapt to this new way of learning.

“Being someone who always is ten steps ahead, organized, on time and graduating early, I have never struggled so much to stay afloat,” Kean student, Public Relations major, Caitlyn Magee said.

According to Magee, all of her professors’ teaching styles are completely different this semester.

“I have some professors that don’t show their face, none of my peers ever have their camera on, or barely talk, it’s essentially an audio lecture,” Magee said.

It can be difficult to adapt to learning at home with many distractions.

“Being engaged in classes has been difficult for me since so many distractions are relevant at all times,” Kean student in The School of Business, Kevin Marroquin said.

Everyone does not have a quiet office area to take live class sessions and do their school work. On campus, there were many places students could go to for a quiet space or to work on school assignments.

For example, the Grand Study Hall located on the third floor in the Learning Commons or the computer stations placed in the Learning Commons and Miron Student Center. In addition, the Commuter Resource Center is stationed on the first floor in the Learning Commons. Many buildings like Green Lane and North Avenue had seating areas spread out across many floors.

“I feel like certain professors are not as understanding that we are all facing this issue together and the workload sometimes is too heavy,” Kean student, Business Marketing major, Priscilla Calderon said.

Outside of the school systems changing due to the pandemic, students had to manage everyday life with the change of the economy. Many businesses temporarily closed, while some had to permanently shut down. Restaurants, gyms, hair and nail salons were closed for a period of time.

“Because the gyms were closed I ended up doing a lot of home workouts and found out what I don’t like and what I like in fitness,” Magee said

Grocery stores were essential during this time. Many people rushed to the supermarkets and stocked up on food and supplies.

“Since many, if not all restaurants were shut down during the pandemic I had to take matters into my own hands and learn how to cook different meals to feed myself and provide myself with the right nutritional foods,” Marroquin said.

Students used several coping strategies to better themselves during the pandemic.

“Whether I was stressed out or bored, exercise was something that I relied on,” Calderon said.

Some are coping and staying positive with the mindset that many others are in the same boat.

“Another strategy I used is knowing that everyone else is going through this pandemic just like me and if other people can stay strong in worse situations why can’t I do the same,” Marroquin said

Some students really used their free time wisely and embarked on new journeys.

“I decided to start my own business and since then, I’ve been doing proper research, testing, and analyzing every angle to it,”, Business Marketing major, Marialis Vasquez said.

Students went back to old hobbies and habits.

“When the pandemic really started, I was journaling almost every day and trying to learn meditation,” Magee said

Some students have adopted new hobbies since the pandemic.

“This past summer I also engaged in multiple eco-friendly trips and I loved them,” Vasquez said

Marroquin learned how to cook a variety of different meals for him and his family.

“I began bike riding a lot more — which started back in April so I could find a way to get out of the house during the day,” Magee said .

Several students had loved ones that tested positive for the virus.

“…we just pray and accept that we wouldn’t be given something we can’t handle,” Magee said.

“I have learned how to take all the precautions necessary to keep those very close to me safe as well as myself,” Vasquez said

Marroquins’ mother had contracted the virus.

“Thankfully to my family for keeping her quarantined, having her take vitamins and eat correctly for that period of time, she was able to fully recover in a week and a half,” Marroquin said.

Students give advice to other students who are going through the pandemic as well.

“Wear your masks and follow the right protocols so this virus can be removed sooner rather than later,” Marroquin said

Calderon advice was for students to be on top of their schoolwork. She emphasized that remote and online classes are more difficult than face to face ones.

Vasquez expressed during this challenging time, students should be proud to wake up every day and try to have the best day possible with everything going on.

“Pay attention to what this “pandemic” is turning into and remind yourself what’s right,” Magee said

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