<p>The COVID-19 has caused multiple effects on the physical and mental health of the world’s population. From a psychosocial perspective, this study aims to understand the social representations of the COVID-19 pandemic of Chilean higher education students. In a sample of 91 students, social representations are studied from three stimulus words: a) COVID-19, b) quarantine, and c) social distancing. The results show that the thematic categories on COVID-19 are mainly related to biological, emotional and value aspects. For quarantine and social distancing, thematic categories are related to preventive, emotional and value aspects. The results are discussed based on the understanding of the categories of thought that promote behavior in the context of a health emergency.</p>