It has been a little over a week since the presidential election, and I am back with another survey on how students feel about it. Are they disappointed? Anxious? Filled with dread? I asked, and the students responded.
To clarify, this survey does not include all students and includes responses from members of the Life section. The words presented here represent those who filled out the survey. Likewise, all responses were anonymous.
23 of the students who responded ended up voting in this election, while five of them didn’t. When asked why they did not vote, students shared their thought process. “[I] felt like voting in Connecticut wasn’t necessary because of how likely the state is to go blue. I regret it, though, because I think young voter turnout will make candidates care more about the issues that matter to us, even if it is in a state that’s going to go blue anyway.” Another student had a similar reason. “I did not vote because I was planning to vote in the morning, but I did not make it. Additionally, our state is very blue, so I did not particularly feel my vote would have had any major impact.”
Students who did vote had various reasons for voting: “I exercise my privilege to vote because others do not have that privilege, regardless of whether we call it a right. In reality, a right is accessible to everyone, and voting (especially on Election Day) is not accessible to everyone.” Someone else said, “I feel that my civic duty is to vote for Human Rights — both my own and others.”
When asked about their feelings post-election, most students felt anxious and scared; one student, however, chose to remain hopeful. “I’m feeling better about it now since I’ve had some time to process it and come to terms with the results, but I was distraught when I woke up on Wednesday and saw the results. I’m scared for my friends in red states, and for my female/AFAB friends and my queer friends, and everyone else that could be impacted by Project 2025. I’m trying to hold out hope that everything is going to be okay because, at least for me, I’m not going down without a fight, and I know so many of my friends aren’t either. I’d like to believe we’re going to be okay.”
“Anxious and also very angry. It’s hard to want to love a country that keeps putting people in power who want to strip me of my rights, but I’m also angry enough that I want to keep trying to make it better. If not for me, then maybe for the generation after me,” shared another student.
One of the questions asked how students are processing the election—and the responses were a mixed bag. Here are some:
“I fundamentally believe not much will change between this administration and Trump’s. This is not a statement about how bad I think Trump will be. That much is for certain, but more so my disdain for the Democrat party and its current state. So, with that being said, I’m processing it by preparing for the next four years with resignation and anger. What’s done is done; the only question is what we will do now.”
“The main way I’ve been processing this election is by spending more time hanging out and talking to my friends. We’re all so scared, but at least we have each other. I want them to know that I love them and care about them and that they’re not alone in this. I’ve also been trying to stay off social media more because sometimes it feels like an echo chamber of ‘everything is going to go wrong,’ and that’s not good for my mental health.”
“I have been trying to avoid most post-election news as I want to avoid dwelling on something that we cannot change.”
Finally, here are some words from the replies on how to process the election and its results and what to do next.
“Although it seems bleak right now, we have a voice, and we don’t have to let things happen without resistance. It’s written into the Declaration of Independence that we can alter or abolish the government if they’re not protecting our rights, so we have the chance to make a positive change in the next four years.”
“I think we should take this as a learning opportunity for both now and for the next election. If anyone feels disheartened, perhaps look into the benefits of a different take on politics. Furthermore, looking into how you can influence the next election is a greater change that should be looked at, especially as our youth is often underrepresented.”
“Get angry instead. Politics doesn’t end on Election Day or when Trump takes office.”
“It’s easier said than done, but you have to keep going! Especially if you’re part of a group that will be hurt by this next presidency, the only way to move forward is to keep fighting. Check in on your friends and don’t be afraid to reach out to your support networks! You definitely don’t have to suffer alone or in silence.”
Thank you to everyone who participated in this survey. Your responses make articles like this possible.