MSU Study Examines College Student Reflections on COVID Pandemic

Some young people are looking back fondly on the pandemic, according to new research.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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A study by Michigan State University researchers has found that some college students are reflecting positively on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study tracked 248 students from 2020 to 2025 and found that some changed their career goals to align with their preferences for remote or in-person work. The study also found that all participants experienced rising life satisfaction and declining loneliness, even if it took longer for some.

Why it matters

The findings provide insight into how the pandemic has impacted young people's career aspirations and overall well-being, challenging the common narrative that the pandemic has been universally negative for this demographic.

The details

The MSU study, led by Associate Professor of Psychology Bill Chopik, found that some students changed their career goals during the pandemic to either stay in remote work or avoid it, depending on their personal preferences. Those who liked interacting with many people during the day tended to prefer in-person work, while more private or shy individuals gravitated towards remote and hybrid jobs.

  • The study tracked the same 248 students from 2020 to 2025.

The players

Bill Chopik

An associate professor of psychology at Michigan State University who led the study.

Michigan State University

The university where the study was conducted.

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What they’re saying

“When this new job and employment market opened up, where did these people find themselves? And it turns out that it was aligned with kind of their preferences. If they like talking to a lot of people during the day, then they like in-person stuff. If they're more kind of private or shy, they prefer the remote and hybrid jobs. So it was kind of really interesting because we didn't think to ask that right when the pandemic started because we didn't really know what work would look like.”

— Bill Chopik, Associate Professor of Psychology (wsjm.com)

The takeaway

The MSU study provides a nuanced perspective on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted young people, highlighting how some have been able to adapt and even thrive by aligning their career goals with their personal preferences for remote or in-person work. This challenges the common narrative that the pandemic has been universally negative for college students and young adults.