The effects of the coronavirus pandemic have changed all of our lives in ways we never even imagined. As a college student, I know a lot of my peers are missing things they didn't know they'd have to live without for a while and are just beginning to realize everything that they took for granted before any of this happened. So, I talked (virtually) with college students of all grade levels to ask them about what they missed most about life before coronavirus, and I'm sure their answers will touch your heart as much as they did mine.

Olivia, Freshman, Miami University

"There are a lot of things I miss, but one thing I miss the most is probably getting to see all my friends and having our study dates together."

Paige, Senior, Miami University

"I miss a lot about life before coronavirus. As a senior, I was enjoying my last semester with all my friends and it was turning out to be one of the best semesters ever! I never thought the last class I went to would be my last ever, and I never thought I would say this but I kind of miss going to class. I miss being able to see my friends every day. I miss working at King Café. I also had a spring break trip with my friends to go to L.A. and I had a little job there as a production assistant on a TV show while I was there, and that was going to be super helpful because I want to one day move there and work in the entertainment industry. So I'm sad that that didn't work out. I miss interacting with people and having a social life at Miami. I hope everything goes back to normal soon. I miss Miami and I will cherish the memories I made there forever."

Olivia, Junior, John Carroll University

"After being home I've come to miss my friends at school and the freedom I had; I took it for granted and didn't realize how much I loved it until I had to leave. It's crazy how so much has changed so quickly."

Briana, Sophomore, Miami University

"I miss having the freedom of living on my own and planning out my day. I miss walking into dining halls with one person and leaving with a group. I miss my sorority sisters, being challenged in classes, and I miss participating in extracurriculars I am passionate about. I miss the community that was created with my friends and answering a call at 9 p.m. saying 'We're on our way—you're coming out tonight!' I miss staying up until 2 a.m. for no reason other than the fact that my roommate and I can't stop laughing at absolutely nothing. I miss the way the light hit the trees on campus in the morning. I miss the little things."

Ally, Senior, Case Western Reserve University

"My senior year ended so quickly; I moved out two days after getting an email from my university. I truly miss the friends I've made and wish I was able to receive proper closure by saying goodbye to them."

Hailey, Sophomore, University of Notre Dame

"I miss hugs from friends a lot and I miss having my roommate to talk to. Zoom and FaceTime are fun but just aren't the same as being in person. And I miss being able to plan things! There's so much uncertainty with everything from summer jobs/internships to registering for classes in the fall, and I miss the days when we didn't have to think about if things were going to happen or not!

Jill, Junior, Lenoir-Rhyne University

"I miss being able to have spaces where I can work in quiet like the library at school."

Rafid, Freshman, Miami University

"While I miss almost everything about my college life before this pandemic, I miss my friends the most—playing pool, meeting up for meals, strolling around the campus late at night, going uptown on the weekends."

Nathan, Sophomore, Miami University

"I miss getting Starbucks."

Aubrey, Sophomore, Saint Louis University

"I think what I miss the most is my freedom, both restricted from my family and COVID-19. I can no longer even experiment making meals because I eat everything my parents eat, and I can't do much outside besides take a walk which is difficult when it's snowing or raining. I miss being able to just do what I want to do."

Will, Junior, Miami University

"The things I miss most are Doughby's and research. Of course, seeing friends, too, but that's kind of obvious."

Megan, Sophomore, John Carroll University

"I miss the atmosphere of being around people my own age. As an only child especially, it's weird to be back home with my parents when I'm used to living with my five roommates."

Alex, Sophomore, Miami University

"I just miss the normality of everything and having a routine, I think that really kept me more grounded than I realize. Also, I miss my boyfriend like crazy."

Lauren, Sophomore, Bowling Green State University

What I miss the most is being able to see my friends all the time and enjoying all the good food my college town has to offer!"

Alyssa, Sophomore, Miami University

"I miss the little things, like walking to the library and getting coffee."

Taylor, Freshman, Miami University

"What I miss most is the comforting atmosphere of campus and the faculty that allowed for a better understanding of material along with study habits, always meeting new people, going to events and finding new interests, and the late night adventures or even just staying in and making the crazy memories that I'll hold near and dear to me for years to come."

I know that I personally can relate to most of these things, as I'm sure many other college students can as well. What we've come to realize from all of this, though, is that the most important parts of life are often just the little things, like seeing friends and getting coffee. The good news is this: everything will be back to normal soon; we just need to be a little patient. And in the meantime, we can find a little bit of nostalgia and gratitude to help us along the way.