How COVID-19 Impacted Students – Academic and Mentally

The pandemic brought social isolation and closure to educational institutes. Some studies show that the isolation developed stress and anxiety among the students – Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) was common among all. The demand for psychological and counseling went through the ceiling in the past two years. Most universities and high schools are expanding their services to cater to all the increased depression and stress among the students. Unfortunately, it is not possible to serve all of the students.

COVID-19 impacted students mentally and academically. Those who were living in poverty faced a break in education. As a result, mental health was damaged as they were unable to access services offered by the schools. Those who could afford to hire someone to take online class while the poor – no proper internet access and computers – held them back. They might have no idea about online class help services circulating on the internet.

Online learning was challenging – self-motivation and discipline are required to overcome the distractions of attending classes at our homes. The disinterest in online classes resulted in bad and poor performance in exams. Thankfully, the teachers were lenient to comprehend the situation of students with adopting the online education system. However, teachers and practitioners were facing the same struggle.

COVID’s Impact on the Academics of Students:

The pandemic drastically changed the shape of academics and learning. It put a pause and setback to the academics of students.

Widened Success Gap:

COVID diminished all the past educational experiences of students – undoing the gain of academics, leaving students behind. A wide gap came in between the young generation and education. Mobile phones glued to their eyes every time every day, entertainment all day long, wasted almost two years due to the pandemic.

Consequently, students stopped reading and learning, which impacted the achievement gap. The learning loss rate spiked during the pandemic compared to the summer-gap learning loss. However, some of the students with high self-discipline and motivation made the most out of online class help. Subsequently, many did not even have proper access to the materials – no availability of internet, mobile phones or data, laptops – keeping their progress at bay.

Currently, it is observed that students had a substantial drop in reading and mathematical skills – losing approximately four months’ worth of gain in reading skills and five to six months’ gain in math skills. Anyway, it was a loss for every other person including the whole world. The real deal is to overcome the loss and that students will come back to school with declined knowledge and learning.

Uneven Effect on the Poor:

Online classes popped up as a substitute to the physical classrooms – referred to as “great equalizers” – yet inaccessible and uneven for the students living in poverty. Research states that 17% of the students had difficulty attending online classes and completing the academic year because they had no proper resources – stable internet connection and computers. For the Africans, the number is high – 25%!

Moreover, it affected the parents with the burden of economic and financial problems. The sight of their children, unable to get proper education in such tough times infected them the most. The stress and anxiety welcome the COVID disease in the body– elders are more likely to get infected with coronavirus than children.

COVID’s Impact on the Mental Health of the Students:

Schools, colleges, and universities were the center of fun and relaxation regardless of all the homework and assignments. Students could meet friends every day, participate in activities, attend events and festivals, and much more to keep their minds fresh.

The Inequity of The Pandemic Effect on Mental Health:

The closure of schools and universities significantly impacted the mental health of the students – especially students belonging to poor families. According to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics – School closures were majorly disruptive for the students and children of lower-income families.

Schools and universities offered mental health systems to children and students free of cost. The closure of the educational institutes worsens the mental health problems of deprived and unprivileged families. The combination of the mental health crisis, public health calamity, social isolation, financial constraints boosted the number of coronavirus cases.

Besides, the job market last two year were brutal for the new and past employees. The pandemic forced firing of employees – organizations and businesses shat down – complete chaos indeed! Students who graduated during the pandemic had a bewildering experience with their graduation. The obscure vision they observed with the pandemic and rapid unemployment held them demotivated. Correspondingly, these students faced a hard time finding a job and even getting one, lower starting salary, and less exposure due to work from the home announcement. Hopefully, the career and job market will recover and rise again for the upcoming batch of graduates. Anyway, the COVID’s impact on unemployment was harsh and may persist for a couple of years.

Mental Health and Academics:

Mental health effects start from an early age – childhood. If a child falls into depression and anxiety then it can lead to life-threatening health, mental health, and emotional problems in the future. Mental health and academics are interconnected – a healthy mind promises good performance and remarkable results in academics. The brain is impaired with our cognitive skills like concentration, attentiveness, memory, activity, and observance. However, when the brain feels any stress or anxiety, it shrinks the cognitive skills – deficiency in academic performance.

How Teachers Can Help Overcome the Loss?

When schools will reopen all of us will be behind and disinterested in the old education system of physical classrooms. However, there are students who are ready to roll out – during the pandemic, these students took full advantage of the internet and online classes.

Here are a few strategies on how a teacher can help overcome the loss of learning during the upsurge of coronavirus – ways for teachers to make learning effective and interesting when schools reopen:

• Build Relationships:

Teachers make a vital role in a life of a child or student. When teachers show some love and affection towards the students, it always makes them feel good and blessed. Since the pandemic brought misery to humankind and especially impacted the mental health of the children and students. Teachers can act as a powerful shield against the depression and anxiety developed during the pandemic.

• Implement Fun Activities and Technology:

Technology attracts the young generation and students – the technological revolutions always amazes us. Teachers can make the learning process effective than ever – create fun quizzes and activities to develop their interest. Moreover, the implementation of technology like AR/VR can make the classrooms more interactive than ever!

• Be Especially Supportive to Special Students!

The majority of online learning and educational sectors do not plan a strategy to meet the requirements of disabled and non-English speaking students. Teachers should prepare different structures and instructions for these students – make them choose their own interests and advise them with multiple opportunities for their learning.

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