‘Struggling to Study Amidst Deadlines’: NYU Students React to 2024 Election Results

As the dust settles from the 2024 presidential election, students at New York University (NYU) find themselves grappling with both academic responsibilities and emotional turmoil.

Student Reactions to Election Results

Jade Leong, a student at NYU, recently shared a poignant TikTok video depicting her and her classmates in a study hall, visibly anxious about the election results. Her caption succinctly captured the prevailing sentiment: “NYU is going through it.” With many students anxiously refreshing their screens for updates on the nail-biting electoral race, Jade mentioned that she and her friends found it difficult to concentrate on their studies, with one commenter expressing, “I have to study but I literally can’t.” Such shared experiences highlight the palpable anxiety sweeping across campuses.

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A Contemplative Atmosphere Amidst Classes

The aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory brought back vivid memories for Jade, reminiscent of a similarly charged atmosphere from previous elections. She recounted feelings of despair shared among her peers, contrasting the usual vibrancy of the city with an eerie silence in NYC that day. Jade vividly described the demeanor of women on the streets, heads bowed, and the silent acknowledgment of collective grief when making eye contact. While many professors recognized the somber mood by offering lenient participation guidelines, others proceeded with classes as if it were merely another day.

Balancing Civic Duty and Academic Pressure

Despite the overwhelming distress coursing through the student body, NYU did not officially cancel classes following the election results. Some professors still held discussions regarding the election, but there was an unmistakable disconnect between the gravity of the situation and the academic expectations placed upon students. For Jade and many of her friends, the act of voting symbolized a vital civic responsibility, but the disappointment of the outcome loomed larger than their collective efforts.

The Need for Emotional Reprieve

As students like Jade process their feelings of defeat and anxiety regarding Trump’s return, they are not alone. Fellow NYU students echoed similar sentiments in the comments section of her TikTok, sharing their grief over election results, even reaching contributors from international locales such as Belgium, Germany, and the UK. The sense of disconnection from the educational experience is palpable, raising an important question: should institutions provide a designated time for students to mourn and process such significant events?

Calls for Institutional Support

Recognizing the emotional toll of the political climate is more crucial than ever. Educational institutions should prioritize the mental well-being of their students, particularly in times of distress. With fears surrounding potential threats to civil liberties under a second Trump term, the need for understanding and accommodating students’ emotional states becomes imperative. While life will inevitably continue, it is essential for educational systems to allow space for reflection and healing. As the youth remain steadfast in their commitment to democracy, they must first be granted the time to grieve and regroup.

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