In California, college students—the early COVID high schoolers—are struggling.

In California, college students—the early COVID high schoolers—are struggling. A November UC San Diego report shows even after almost six years, the pandemic’s effects are still shaping first-year college students. Many in the “COVID cohort”—those who graduated high school after 2020—are arriving on college campuses with lingering gaps tied to years of online learning, isolation, and disrupted routines. Between 2020 and 2025, far more students experienced declines in their math, writing, and language skills, with the 2025 class showing the widest gap to incoming students pre-pandemic. Many students also struggle with social adjustment and independence after missing core in-person high school experiences. While the incoming 2026 class show signs of improvement, California educators note recovery will take more time—especially as new challenges like AI in the classroom further reshape learning. (SFGATE)