The world has been witness to some unprecedented times. So many things have changed in recent months, and that applies to higher education as well. Students worldwide have had to adapt and change, but has this affected their college experience?
A New World
Global economies have felt the impact of this pandemic, and many industries have had to evolve to keep up. Working towards a degree is an ambition for many, but financially this can be quite daunting.
BrokeScholar believes a hub for students to browse numerous scholarships and fellowship programs is a great tool to use. These programs aim to ease some financial burdens. Although this part of college life continues normally, others have changed significantly.
Campus Experience
A large part of college has always been the interactions between undergrads, postgrads, and professors. Pupils choose colleges as much for the community and social experience as for the educational programs. There's an undeniable advantage in sharing ideas and knowledge with your peers.
The lack of group interaction due to social distancing has caused many students to become more depressed and anxious. According to a Dartmouth study, sedentary behavior also increased since the beginning of the pandemic. Lack of physical activity is a central contributor to depression and restlessness.
Self-care is an integral part of staying healthy, both mentally and physically. Pupils need to make the most of their free time and ensure that they get enough exercise. Managing your time well will allow you to be more mindful and manage your stress more effectively.
Online Classes
Technology has undoubtedly been one of the industries to boom during the pandemic. Many colleges have had to switch over to online classes to salvage the academic year. There are certain advantages to online teaching, but this new normal doesn't come without its pitfalls.
The mad scramble that ensued left many institutions with systems that aren't exactly suited to its students' needs. Video calls might have their merits, but the format doesn't entirely work for a college lecture.
Institutions like MIT also said that they'd like to implement video lectures for learners. They want to focus on using any in-person time to check their knowledge of concepts. These measures will allow interactions to be used only for specific reasons, maximizing both the lecturers and scholars' time.
Fewer International Students
The life of international learners has become severely complicated and stressful since the outbreak. Borders worldwide have closed and left pupils stranded all over the globe. From visa cancelations to discontinued programs, their worries only seem to be increasing.
Unfortunately, there have also been increased numbers of xenophobia and racism directed at these learners. The isolation this creates is detrimental to the wellbeing of pupils. Luckily, there are some support initiatives for those who struggle with feelings of isolation.
International student numbers for the 2020-2021 academic year have also declined. This trend is, however, nothing new. According to Marguerite J. Dennis, a higher education administrator, there has long since been a decline in the number of international learners coming to study in the United States.
In her paper, Marguerite also stated that pupils are less likely to want to study abroad at the moment. Factors like the uncertainty of when the next outbreak might occur are primarily to blame. Pupils won't want to risk getting stranded overseas, and the limitations on travel make planning for the future incredibly risky.
In Conclusion
College is an exciting time in a young person's life, and even though we face uncertainty ahead, it's vital to remain optimistic. Things might be changing daily, but we should never forget the importance of education.
