By: Claire Daly

They were the students who entered high school carrying more than just backpacks — they carried the aftermath of a global shutdown. But now, as the Class of 2026 prepares for their final stretch towards graduation, their experiences reveal whether COVID-19 has shaped the way this generation learns, thinks, and creates or not.

Middle school for this class ended in front of computer screens and high school began with new rules, routines, and expectations. The shift to remote learning forced students to adjust quickly, and for some, that adjustment period still has an impact on them..
“I think academics was definitely the biggest thing that changed for me during Covid because it was harder to focus in my home environment,” said senior Elizabeth Yoo, “and that still affects me to this day. It’s harder for me to work at home.

While some students are still going through the aftereffects of the pandemic, others have found that the virus passed by like a common cold that came and went.

“I don’t think Covid had a huge impact on me, but I could understand how it could on other people because a good amount of our foundational education that our high school teachers expect of us now, many may not know,” explained senior Hannah Cardwell.

For most students, the time spent in online classes has become more of a distant memory than a defining event. While some habits, such as studying independently and managing time, may have carried over, many students say that they have adapted back to normal school life with little difficulty.

Despite returning to the rhythms of everyday life, students have not dismissed their experiences during quarantine. Instead of framing the pandemic solely as a negative event, some have chosen to recognize the positives that emerged from it.

“It gave me more creative freedom in the long run because it gave me time to think more about my interests outside of school, like music,” shared senior Noelle Hahn. “As a flute major now, quarantine really helped me build my broader mindset.”

Since 2020, schools have continued to adapt what educators call “post-COVID learners.” More flexible deadlines, mental health support, and hybrid options, reflecting an awareness of how learning has evolved. Yet, students say those changes feel less like responses to a crisis and more like natural progress.

“I think schools would have pushed forward with the increase in digital learning, but COVID definitely acted as a catalyst. It would have happened regardless though,” Yoo said.

Now, as the Class of 2026 nears graduation, COVID-19 feels less like a determining chapter and more like a footnote in their high school years. A moment that challenged them temporarily, but didn’t shape the story of who they have become.