Abstract: Objective To provide a reference for the necessity of epidemic prevention and control and semi-closed education in colleges and universities， we investigated the cognition，prevention，attitude，and behavior of students in Jianghan University towards COVID-19 and their learning situation against the background of COVID-19. Methods 738 students were selected to fill the web version of the self-designed online questionnaire，which included questions related to demographic characteristics， attitudes， cognition，prevention，and learning situations. Results The total awareness rate about COVID-19 knowledge for students in Jianghan University was only 57. 3%，with an average score of（35. 96 ± 8. 77）. The main channel to acquire the COVID-19 knowledge was TV broadcast（86. 99%），followed by the Internet（73. 17%）. The total rate of prevention and control awareness was 40. 2%，with an average score of （28. 87 ± 8. 28）. There were statistically significant differences in the scores of COVID-19 knowledge and awareness of prevention and control in gender，major，and whether their hometown was or being a medium or high-risk area（P < 0. 05）. 60. 84% of students had a good attitude towards those who were cured of COVID-19. During the epidemic，the college students behaved well，and more than 70% of students could take correct measures to deal with COVID-19. Before returning to school，college students generally had a poor performance during the period of online classes at home. However，most of them expressed that they can well adapt to their learning after returning to school. Conclusion The students of Jianghan University lack COVID-19 relevant knowledge and awareness of the prevention of COVID-19. The universities should publicize relevant knowledge or set up elective courses to improve college students' awareness and ability of prevention and control.

Key words: COVID-19, novel coronavirus, cognition, awareness of prevention and control, learning situation, college students, Jianghan University