Paper Title
STUDENT REACTIONS TO THE SUDDEN TRANSITION TO ONLINE LEARNING EARLY IN THE COVID PANDEMIC: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract
Abstract - The transition to online learning during the beginning of the COVID global pandemic in March 2020 was without precedent. Higher education dramatically shifted from face-to-face classes to online. A micro-survey was distributed at a small midwestern primarily undergraduate institution to capture student and faculty reactions. An open comment question at the end drew many varied responses, containing valuable insights into student perspectives. The current project provided a content analysis of this data. The survey was distributed in mid-April 2020. Nineteen topics were discerned, which were further analyzed to reveal six fundamental elements. These were further abstracted as three themes: Education Quality, Well-being, and External Context Factors. Findings reveal that students were serious and enlightened to appreciate in-person learning. Although stressed and anxious, students coped with the transition with gratitude and contentment.