The Impacts of the Pandemic to the Interpersonal Communication of College

Students

"The most obvious changes are that most of us now have less face-to-face, in-

person interaction with others, and when we are face to face, we are wearing masks."

(Levine, 2020). Companionship plays a vital role in one's well-being, unfortunately, with

what is currently happening in our world, this matter seems to be stagnant. The duration

of the COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on the interpersonal communication of

college students, which is correlated to their school adaptation and their mental health.

During the past year all of us have faced a huge change in our life, may it be the

physical, social, and personal aspects.

Though the institutions are trying their best to keep up with this pandemic and

still be able to provide knowledge to the students, it will always be the face-to-face

classes that everyone will prefer. For the reason that they are lacking motivation,

understanding of the material, the decrease of communication levels between the

students and instructors, and lastly the feeling of isolation due to online classes.

Especially during these times, we are a step closer to achieving our dreams, and this

stage of our life is a big factor in molding the person who is going to be in the future.

Mingling with friends plays a vital role, especially at the tertiary level was not an easy

point. This is the time wherein we need a shoulder to lean on, someone to talk to, or just

someone who will listen to our rants.

On the other hand, this pandemic builds a gap between the instructor and the

students. In terms of the age barrier, some professors are having a hard time using

modern technology such as educational portals, in this circumstance, the students and
the instructors somehow result in miscommunication. Another factor is when students

do not have a stable internet connection, especially in remote areas. This is where the

struggle enters to which the students were not able to comply with their requirements

due to lack of accessibility towards with communicating with their classmates especially

during the group works, and mostly with their professors’ deadlines.

As what have mentioned earlier, the feeling of isolation during the COVID-19

pandemic, affects the college students’ mental health. Most especially this time wherein

home does not feel like it because now, home is where you study and where you rest.

We were not able to go outside like the way we got used to. Somehow most people had

turned to introverts and starting to get used to being alone. College is where we are

supposed to enjoy our life, get to know ourselves better, have fun, and meet new

people, but sadly we were not able to attain those due to the COVID-19's preventive

guidelines and safety measures.

The COVID-19 had performed a huge transformation towards our personal life.

College life is not easy, and to face it alone is extremely not easy. One pat at the back is

a huge help, but now a single touch seems to feel unsafe. All of us are struggling

because this is not "the normal life" we use to live. No matter how hard we try to adapt

to the changes that are happening around us, we will always be looking for the life that

we had. The fun of life, the loud street, the murmurs in the hallways, the jeepney's horn,

and the never-ending heavy traffic. But we have no choice as of now, but to live and

survive.
References

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interpersonal relationships on school adaptation among Chinese university

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https://www.uab.edu/news/research/item/11542-how-has-covid-19-affected-the-

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