College Students

College Students Share How Coronavirus Has Impacted Their Lives

Many college students were forced to leave campus mid-semester and switch to online learning

Many college students were forced to leave their campuses mid-semester in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Now, students are adjusting to remote learning as the pandemic continues, telling NBC10 Boston and NECN about their experiences in video diaries.

Lily Fine, Boston University

Boston University's Lily Fine explains how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting her studies in the School of Fine Arts this semester.

Hannah Harn, Boston University

Boston University journalism student Hannah Harn talks about the difficulties of completing her semester online.

Boston University senior journalism student Hannah Harn says adjusting to online learning has not been easy. On campus, Harn had access to the production equipment and space that she needs. Now, she's improvising with a studio she built at home.

Boston University sophomore fine arts student Lily Fine says she has not been able to complete a lot of her intended course work remotely because they are material- and equipment-specific. Now, her professors are improvising and creating new assignments that are "less than ideal," according to Fine.

Christina Palmeri, Emmanuel College

Emmanuel College's Christina Palmeri explains how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting her coursework and routine.

Emmanuel College senior Christina Palmeri says her biggest challenge has been adjusting to living at home and taking classes online. Palmeri has tried to keep her routine consistent by watching her favorite shows with her friends on Zoom.

Tajrean Rahman, Harvard University

Harvard's Tajrean Rahman explains how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted her learning and home life

Harvard senior Tajrean Rahman says that her home environment has not been conducive to her learning. Because several of her immediate family members have become unemployed, Rean says she has had to dedicate a lot of time to helping them through the unemployment process.

 Selena Zhao, Harvard University

Harvard University's Selena Zhao explains how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted her senior year and coursework.

Harvard University senior and government student Selena Zhao says that seniors have to find ways to get the closure they would have gotten from events like commencement and senior week on their own terms.

Jessica Hendrickson, MIT

Massachusetts Institute of Technology student Jessica Hendrickson is a master's student in science writing. In her video diary she offers her thoughts on why she thinks the pandemic has changed the way people talk about science.

Steven Truong, MIT

Steven Truong is a senior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying biological engineering and creative writing. Since moving to remote learning he says one challenge he has had is helping his mother with unemployment paperwork.

Steven Truong, a senior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying biological engineering and creative writing, says since moving to remote learning, one challenge he has had is helping his mother with unemployment paperwork. He hopes the pandemic teaches the scientific community a "sense of collaboration" moving forward.

Suni Norman, New England Conservatory of Music

New England Conservatory of Music's Suni Norman explains how coronavirus is impacting her music classes and performances.

New England Conservatory of Music senior Suni Norman says the pandemic has completely changed her educational experience. All of her performances, including a tour of South Africa, have been canceled. Norman says taking music and dance classes online is difficult because the content cannot be easily translated to online platforms.

Marissa Kearny, Suffolk University

Suffolk University's Marissa Kearny explains how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting her classes and giving her more time for her hobbies.

Suffolk University sophomore Marissa Kearny says that the pandemic has shown her how much time she should be dedicating to her hobbies, like cooking and drawing.

 Mary Courtuier, Suffolk University

Suffolk University's Mary Courtuier explains how she's been able to stay connected to her friends during the coronavirus pandemic

Suffolk University sophomore and marketing student Mary Courtuier says that, as a social person, it has been hard to be away from her friends and professors. Courtuier says social media has helped her stay connected during the pandemic.

Hanna Mitchell, Suffolk University

Suffolk University sophomore Hanna Mitchell says she has become more independent while practicing social distancing.

Suffolk University sophomore Hanna Mitchell, a broadcast journalism major, says she has become more independent while practicing social distancing.

Hunter Berube, Suffolk University

In the latest video diary by Boston area college students, Suffolk University sophomore Hunter Berube talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted his semester as a broadcast communications and journalism major.

In his video diary, Suffolk University sophomore Hunter Berube talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic stopped him from reporting on a local film festival from starting a show with Dirty Water Media through his internship.

Jasmine Francoeur, Suffolk University

Suffolk University freshman Jasmine Francoeur talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting her semester.

In her video diary, Suffolk University freshman Jasmine Francoeur talks about what the COVID-19 pandemic has taught her as she, like all other students, is now remotely learning.

Lindsey Douglas, Boston Architectural College

Boston Architectural College senior Lindsey Douglas explains in her video diary how she has been spending her free time at home.

In her video diary, Boston Architectural College senior Lindsey Douglas explains that she has been keeping herself busy at home by crocheting, gardening and by doing digital artwork.

Madison Pezze, Western New England University

In her video diary, Western New England University senior Madison Pezze explains how the coronavirus pandemic impacted her last semester.

Western New England University senior Madison Pezze is studying communications and integrating marketing communications. Pezze says she was excited for some sports-related opportunities this semester that unfortunately, did not pan out due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jillian Kay, Emerson College

Jillian Kay is a freshman broadcast journalism major at Emerson College. Even though we don't know when the coronavirus pandemic will end, she says she's trying to focus on the positive.

Even though we don't know when the coronavirus pandemic will end, Emerson broadcast journalism major Jillian Kay says she's trying to focus on the positive while maintaining her mental health.

Linda Shewokis, Emerson College

Emerson College sophomore Linda Shewokis was studying abroad when the coronavirus pandemic hit. The theatre education and performance major describes how her life has been impacted in her video diary.

Emerson College sophomore Linda Shewokis was studying abroad in the Netherlands when the coronavirus pandemic hit. In her video diary, the theatre education and performance major says she is worried that if the pandemic continues, she might need to take the fall semester or even a year off.

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