Moving Away Shutdown K(qu)arantine (MASK) Study: Examining the Lived Exerperiences of Out-of-State College Students
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Date
2024-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
The goal of this research study was to understand the experiences of out-of-state students living on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic at The Ohio State University (OSU). The out- of-state student population at OSU makes up roughly a quarter of the entire undergraduate student population and they bring diversity, unique perspectives, and different traditions to campus life (OSU Enrollment, 2023). Alternatively, out-of-state students move away from home to further their educational outcomes. As a result, out-of-state students may enter higher education with less of a support system nearby or fewer family and other social ties, which can be a significant lifestyle adjustment. To date, no studies, to my knowledge, examined the experiences of out-of-state students during the COVID-19 pandemic; illuminating a prominent gap in the literature. This qualitative study sought to explore how out-of-state college students coped with changes and challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, eight undergraduate students from states other than Ohio participated in one-hour interviews. Using thematic coding procedures, findings indicated this population experienced notable challenges during the pandemic such as difficulty learning in online environments, challenges building relationships, and mental health challenges. Many coped by procrastinating or turning to negative outlets like alcohol, whereas other students exercised, journaled, or forged new friendships to cope with stress during this time. Findings have the potential to elevate the experiences of out-of-state college students regarding their overall health, mental health, coping abilities, and outlook on learning to inform future prevention, intervention, and crisis response efforts in the future.