Not long ago, small talk was a fundamental part of a student’s everyday life. Students would indulge in casual conversations with minimal limitations, but according to a 2023 study by Baylor College of Medicine, students struggle with face-to-face interaction. Feelings of awkwardness and prolonged silence are frequently experienced, and students are at a loss for what to do.
So, what happened?
For starters, the pandemic played a significant role in the way students tackle face-to-face conversation. When schools shifted to remote learning, social interaction became confined to screens and students missed out on casual interactions. Zoom rarely allowed side discussions, and with the option to turn off your screen/microphone, students became reliant on text-based communication.
This decline in casual conversations isn’t just a social inconvenience — it has real-world consequences.
“I have a lot of students email me and say, ‘Can we talk about how I’m scared to meet with people face-to-face, how I’m having to interview for jobs and (having face-to-face conversations) isn’t something I’m comfortable with?’” communications professor Keri Stephens said. “I think a lot of young people only socialized with each other. They didn’t have a lot of exposure to people older than them. Now that (students) are getting in the workforce, there’s an uncomfortable age gap for them. They’re uncertain about reaching out, trying to have small talk, going to networking events and interviewing for jobs.”
Students’ hesitation to indulge in casual conversation has impacted their ability to communicate both socially and professionally.
“(During the pandemic) we went to school for months and years without having to do the daily hi/byes, … diminishing (their) value and frequency,” said junior Jada Kabani, president of Freshman Launch, a student-run organization that helps freshman McCombs students develop their professional network. “It’s especially impacted students professionally because your network is your everything, and people are often more apprehensive to go up to young professionals, … creating a stigma of ‘Oh, that’s scary.’”
Beyond the pandemic, the rise of social media and smartphones has reshaped how students interact. Texting has replaced spontaneous in-person conversations with curated messages that are strategically sent at the right time.
However, changing the nature of communication may be an evolution rather than a decline. Technology has enabled students to connect with a wide variety of people beyond their immediate surroundings, created a sanctuary for those struggling with social anxiety and allowed for a large majority to communicate more comfortably. Platforms such as LinkedIn have allowed students to build professional connections in nontraditional ways. The ability to communicate with companies virtually and engage in discussions are qualities that are valued in today’s workforce.
“I think some students have less experience with spontaneous, real-time interactions because they have all these other forms of communications (which can be) very … practical but they’re just different,” communications professor Matthew McGlone said.
Students shouldn’t let a decline in organic face-to-face interactions hinder their ability to communicate professionally. Instead, students should acknowledge that in-person and virtual communication can help them improve their networks and social skills. While technology has made social interactions more convenient, students should not underestimate the importance of small talk.
Huerta is a government sophomore from Victoria, Texas.