Old Time Teachers, Tell Us The Moment You Realized Your Students Your Students Act Differently Now Compared To Before COVID Began In 2020

It can be hard to believe that the COVID pandemic began over four years ago. It's not novel to say, but it often feels simultaneously like a lifetime ago and like it was just yesterday.

A lot can happen in four years. High school and college, for example, are most often designed as four-year degree programs.

So given that the beginning of COVID in America has officially surpassed the time it takes for most kids to complete a four-year-degree, and now that school is officially back in session, we here at BuzzFeed were curious: teachers, what are the biggest changes you've seen in your students from before and after the pandemic?

For example, have you noticed that your students are even more attached to their screens than before 2020?

A group of eight children stand in a line, all looking down at their smartphones. They are wearing casual clothing
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Or, atlernatively, are students more invested in their in-person activities, such as clubs and sports?

A basketball team wearing jerseys with "33" and "6" huddle with hands joined in the center for team unity, preparing for a game
Hill Street Studios / Getty Images

Do students express more anxiety about post-graduation plans?

People sitting at desks in a classroom. They are writing on paper placed on small desks attached to their chairs. Faces are not fully visible
Commercial Eye / Getty Images

Or is there a more live-in-the-moment ethos in your school's hallways?

A group of three students, two men and one woman, walk together, smiling, in a school hallway. The men wear casual clothing with bags
Troy Aossey / Getty Images

Whatever you've observed amongst your students, teachers, we want to hear about it!

What might parents want to keep an eye out for, as well?

Please tell us any stories or insights you might have (and why you think they might be happening). You can share your stories in the comments or by filling out this Google Form if you prefer to remain anonymous. Your responses could be featured in a BuzzFeed Community post!

And please be sure to mention which grade you're referring to, as the answers will likely be very different depending on whether the observations are about pre-, elementary-, middle-, or high school.