The purpose of this study is to examine the first-year students’ experience in college during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a better understanding of their daily life. Using inductive content analysis, this study examined the characteristics and experiences of students who started college during the COVID-19 period in South Korea. We analyzed 623 pieces of content, using data presented by a total of 81 study subjects. From this analysis, we derived 22 primary keywords, which we divided into eight categories, and then reclassified into three general topics: self-awareness (i.e., self-reflection), activities (i.e., engagement in activities), and resources (i.e., creating relationships or producing results). The results showed that, although first-year college students experienced difficulties in adapting to the COVID-19 situation, they tried to cope with them. Our findings shed light on the experiences of college students who experienced psychological problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and overcame related challenges.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, adaptation, experience, growth, first-year college students, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19 pandemic, activity, Characteristics, psychological problem, South Korea, resource, Analysis, activities, categories, COVID-19 situation, analyzed, examined, eight, subjects, producing, creating, 【제목키워드】 South Korea, life, student, college,