It happened swiftly. One by one in March, colleges and universities across the nation shuttered their classrooms. Some students were on campus and were directed to pack up and exit hastily. Other students were on Spring Break as the pandemic grew and Spring Break became just “spring.” Dorm rooms that had been left for a week were left empty indefinitely until decisions could be made about how to allow these students back inside to retrieve their belongings.
However it unfolded, many of the college kids landed back home unexpectedly. Some brought along a friend or roommate. There was an initial sigh of relief upon reaching safety. Maybe a little giddiness about escaping deadlines that were looming – for a minute. Because then eventually classes resumed inn online format. Professors and students had to adapt quickly. And they did. Everyone settled back into finishing the semester. This gave a temporary sense of purpose and direction. It was something to do.
As the weeks passed, we started to hear about changes in graduation plans: full on cancellations, postponements until December and virtual spring ceremonies. The disorder that became determination to finish the university spring semester 2020 is slowly subsiding. The seniors are graduating. We’re also seeing more about the high school seniors – online AP exams, college commitments, cancelled proms, lawn sign tributes and virtual graduations.
The reality of the next three summer months lies before us. Many of these young adults who had summer jobs and plans are now sitting around the house with the prospect of empty days and weeks ahead of them. Many are still awaiting news about what is going to happen in the fall. Will they go to school or will they continue online? Should they take a gap year? What makes the most sense?
Parents and kids are getting antsy. If the kids came home reluctantly, some are truly sliding into depression. As parents and children grapple with the reality that this time at home may be much longer than originally anticipated, anxiety and frustration are rising. Tempers are boiling and there are angry exchanges about unmet expectations.
As the parent of two college students – one a 2020 graduate – I have been actively following the news about what university administrators are thinking and considering with a mixture of concern and hopefulness. So much has been written about the declining value of the college education. Yet, as I look around, the people who are faring best in terms of employment during this pandemic seem to be the professionals: people who earned a degree and from there created a career pathway.
Much has been said about the overpriced college experience. And I would have to say that, after spending a number of years on the college tour scene, I do feel that at some point the need for lavish health and recreation facilities seemed to go a bit over the top. But this online degree world that I have observed on the home front this spring seems to be sorely lacking in comparison to campus life. I have watched my freshman diligently attend her Zoom classes and write her papers. She learned. However, everything is on screen. It’s so bland.
She has connected with her classmates to play games online. She’s active on Instagram. She has participated in live chats. She has snap chatted and messaged. But she spends large chunks of her day alone. When she was away at school, there was rarely a true moment to herself. These moments are the color in the work of college education. These moments help our kids step out of the world they were born into and create a new world of their choosing. We want this for our kids. We want them to make a life outside our homes. And the on-campus college experience is one pathway that has helped many of us professionals get this start in the adult world.