Some college students still feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, years after the world returned to normalcy. For students like Ivree Diaz, who began her college journey in 2020, the lingering impact of the pandemic has been profound, ranging from academic struggles to sharp swings in mental health.

"I was beat," Diaz said, recalling the emotional toll of her first semester at the University of Connecticut.

By winter break, she had lost nearly 30 pounds, and her motivation had plummeted.

"During that time, I was on the fence about coming back,” she said. “But I told myself, let me just stick it out for the rest of the year."

Despite her efforts, Diaz eventually left UConn, citing long-lasting mental health struggles and an awkward transition to college life that was compounded by

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