This article was written within the framework of the Generation Z initiative. Since 2010, Generation Z, an initiative of freedom, offers an authentic experience of the profession of journalist in written press or video to secondary school students from the Louis-Riel school division (DSLR), for whom French is their second language. In order to encourage them, take the time to read their articles, and write them a comment to [email protected].
By Stella Dijeh, 11th year and Gift Opooola, 10th year, Béliveau college.
The world was frozen, everything had stopped. And today, where are our social lives and our relationships?
In 2024, life became similar to that before the pandemic. School and work have no restrictions, and we have regained the right to do activities and interact with each other. So there are still effects of the persisting pandemic?
Isolation and loneliness
Returning around the world after being isolated is not an easy challenge. Our social skills have evolved in different ways.
Almost five years later, some describe their experience positively. “I felt isolated, but it was not that worse. My children were young and we spent a lot of time together with the family, ”says Jennifer Thys, French teacher at Béliveau college. Several have indeed taken advantage of this time at home to spend precious moments with their loved ones.
Others, on the other hand, have a more negative memory. “It was difficult,” said Patrick Gagné, media teacher at Béliveau college. My family was not always on the same page by discussing vaccines and restrictions. In addition, I am someone who likes to be alone, but I need to see my friends. »»
Social skills
After the pandemic, some people noticed a change in their social skills. “I am more easily tired after social interactions,” explains Jennifer Thys. I no longer have as much patience for waste of energy. I want to spend time with those who fill my heart. »»
Others, on the contrary, quickly found their habits. “I am a very social person, so I enhanced quickly,” replies Patrick Gagné.
Teachers also observed differences in the way students interacted before and after the pandemic. “From the pandemic, many never make visual contact and prefer to communicate on their phone rather than a person,” notes Patrick Gagné.
A generation has spent its years of development in isolation, separated from other students of its age. However, some believe they have not been particularly affected, because their lifestyle has not changed much with COVID. “I have a rather small family, and I think that the pandemic has brought us closer because we spent a lot of time together,” shares Brynn Bazylo, a student at Béliveau college.
What about human interactions?
This is not the case with Chantal Pursaga, teacher of the Béliveau college. “I couldn’t be with my family during the Covid, and it was difficult for me because I come from a big family. Now, I like no more time I spend with them. »»
For his part, Erica Dijeh, a former student of the Béliveau college, “does not think that there was really any evolution, rather a return to what had already changed”.
With or without the covid, human beings are constantly evolving and each era brings its challenges. What distinguishes this period of pandemic and then post-pandemic is the way in which we had to adapt to all new perspectives. Whether or not they have found old habits, we inevitably see the world from a new angle.
