It’s been a little over a week since the presidential election and I’m back with another poll on how college students feel about it. Are they disappointed? Anxious? Full of horror? I asked, and the students answered.

To clarify, this survey does not include all students and includes responses from members of the Life section. The words shown here represent those who completed the survey. Also, all responses were anonymous.

23 of the students who responded ended up voting in this election, while five of them did not vote. When asked why they didn’t vote, students shared their thought process. “(I) felt that voting in Connecticut was unnecessary because of the likelihood of the state going blue. I regret it, though, because I think that young people voting will make the candidates care more about the issues that matter to us, even if it’s in a state that’s going to turn blue anyway.” Another student had a similar reason. “I didn’t vote because I didn’t make it. Plus, our state is very blue, so I didn’t particularly feel like my vote had a major impact.”

Students who voted had various reasons for voting: “I exercise my privilege to vote because others do not have that privilege, regardless of whether we call that right a right. In reality, a right is accessible to everyone, and voting (especially on election day) is not accessible to everyone.” Another said: “I feel it is my civic duty to vote for human rights – my own and the rights of others.”

When asked about their post-election feelings, most students felt anxious and scared; one student, however, chose to remain hopeful. “I feel better now as I’ve had some time to process it and come to terms with the results, but I was upset when I woke up on Wednesday and saw the results. I’m scared for my red-state friends and my AFAB and queer friends and everyone else who might be affected by Project 2025. I’m trying to hold on to hope that everything will be okay because, at least for me, I’m not going down without a fight and I know a lot of my friends aren’t either. I’d like to think we’ll be fine.”

“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,” said another student.

One of the questions was how students process choices – and the answers were mixed. Here are a few:

“I think not much will change between this administration and Trump’s. This is not a statement about how bad I think Trump will be. That’s for sure, but more so my disdain for the Democratic 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 are we going to do now.”

“The main way I’ve been processing this election is spending more time hanging out and talking to my friends. We are 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 are not alone in this. I’ve also been trying to stay off social media more because sometimes it feels like an echo chamber where ‘everything is going to go wrong’ and that’s not good for my mental health.”

“I’ve tried to avoid most of the post-election news because I want to avoid dwelling on something we can’t change.”

Finally, here are some words from the responses about how the election is processed and its results, and what needs to be done next.

“Although it looks bleak now, we have a voice and we must not let things happen without resistance. It’s written in the Declaration of Independence that we can change or abolish the government if it doesn’t protect our rights, so we have a chance to make positive change in the next four years.”

“I think we should take this as a learning opportunity both now and for the next election. If one feels discouraged, one can look to the benefits of another perspective on politics. In addition, studying how you can influence the next election is a bigger change that should be looked at, especially since our young people are often underrepresented.”

“Instead, be angry. Politics doesn’t end on Election Day or when Trump takes office.”

“Easier said than done, but I have to keep going! Especially if you are part of a group that will be hurt by the next presidency, the only way forward is to keep fighting. Check in on your friends and don’t be afraid to reach out to your support networks! You certainly 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.