Online Learning & Students Mental Health

 When the pandemic hit, I do not think anyone knew it would last as long as it did. I believe we all thought it would pass in just a few short weeks or even months. But that was not the case, the pandemic extended over a year-long period that forced us all into isolation and a new lifestyle: remote. Students were forced into online learning and expected to continue their studies without any hiccups in their grades, effort, or participation. Many universities offer health & wellness centers on campus for free student counseling, but during the pandemic, all on-campus facilities were closed leaving students to fend for themselves. These changes left students failing classes or even dropping out of college altogether. According to CNBC, approximately 25% of students delayed their college plans. The costs for higher education did not change during the pandemic, yet many people lost their jobs, making money a huge factor for students to keep in mind too. There was a lot more for students to worry about than just course content, but universities weren’t exactly rushing to find a solution for their students. Many universities did not have the systems put in place to help support students during these tough times, meaning the damages that were made to GPAs and courses would be permanent with no do-overs. This is detrimental to many students hoping to pursue a masters’ degree at a prestigious university, or students looking to enter a competitive major that requires a specific GPA. But most importantly - what does this mean for student’s mental health or students with prior learning disabilities? According to Best Colleges survey, 95% of college students reported negative mental health symptoms as a result of COVID-19 related circumstances, and nearly half of them (48%) believe these effects have directly affected their education. These mental health issues include anxiety, loss of sleep, depression, stress, self-doubt, loss of hope, struggles with laziness, issues with school-life balance. These stressors are in addition to the daily stress students deal with when moving away from home for the first time, living on their own for the first time, and having to manage their own money and time. In addition, about 11% of college students have a learning disability according to the National Center for Education Statistics. More than 200,000 students entering their freshman year in college have some type of learning disability. Only about 17% of students with learning disabilities will take advantage of learning assistance resources at their school. A majority of universities were occupied with other duties during the pandemic, worrying about student’s mental health was not at the top of their to-do lists.