What COVID-19 ought to mean to college students

No doubt about it – our world has turned upside down and inside out with the global coronavirus pandemic. What ought COVID-19 mean to college students?

Despite having to leave campus and leave your friends behind, the sudden disconnect from those friends and your campus home – now is a time to embrace the awful situation we find ourselves in and learn what it means to be prepared for the unexpected. It’s also a superb opportunity to research what each you can do in your community to provide whatever assistance you’re able. You may “just” be a student, but there’s much you know that can help others; your peers and older generations.

Here’s what COVID ought mean to college students:

Care. People around you are looking for serenity and companionship. A feeling of tranquility in the middle of chaos. Those around you may feel genuinely afraid and apart. Their fears are real. And with considered thought, you may guide them toward an understanding of the temporary nature of the pandemic as well as ways to connect with others. Do you know Zoom? Skype? Facetime? Can you teach people unfamiliar with those apps how to use them?

Open. Keep your mind open to opportunity. This may be a good time to research subjects of interest to you. Understand, also, you know technology better than people older than you. Teach them how to use it to cope and thrive during conditions such as we’re experiencing now. Or teach a skill you’ve developed others would like to know–online.

Value. Voluntary social distancing may have made you more aware of the value of your relationships. Relationships with family, friends, relatives, acquaintances, and others. (Yes, even employers from part-time jobs and internships.) Make a list of them And stay in touch with everyone on that list via email, phone, or other means. Find out how they’re doing, what they’re doing. Let them know you value them. That will enhance your relationships in the future and, likely, help your career escalate when you launch it.

Impact. This is very much a part of the above, “value.” Expressing how important someone is to you will make them feel good. But learning of a challenge they face during your conversation and doing what you can to help with that challenge is even better, it makes you valuable. And the law of reciprocity will cause them to remember you for years and, most likely, they’ll want to reciprocate.

Dedication. The people around you are a bit frightened. And maybe you are, too. But dedicate yourself to action. Encourage your parents, siblings, friends, relatives, and others to dedicate themselves to take action, too. Action suppresses fear. Be an example. Dedicate yourself to use your youth & energy, expertise, and optimism to create community, to bring others together. As we feel the effects of increasingly lengthy isolation, we humans need connection more than ever. Dedicate yourself to being the facilitator of community.

Lift your dedication and direct it to big, bold action. Help everyone around you do the same. Now you know what COVID-19 ought to mean to college students. Like you.

It means Everybody wins. Including you.

Start now.