The challenges students faced during Coronavirus- Psychological effects of
coronavirus on students
Coronavirus pandemic has hit every
institution of the world but students are the
ones who severely got disturbed with coronavirus. Some of the challenges students faced
during coronavirus are here:
- An abrupt adaptation
It was a kindergarten student
or a university learner, all had to adapt to online classes on short notices
during coronavirus lockdown. They liked it or not but they had to sign in ZOOM or MEET classes daily to bear long screen times. Screen was needed to stay updated for homework, assignments, and notices. Contrary to playing games or watching YouTube videos, it is a tedious experience to stare at screens for long hours in online classes.
- Struggle for concentration during online classes
Many competent students seemed
to struggle against getting a concentration in online classes. Despite listening to the
teacher carefully, students are unable to grasp many concepts. Most of the time
teachers can't see the students raising their hands to ask a question. There is no proper interaction with class fellows to get any
aid about the topic. For Junior and primary school students, it is not
possible to sit at one place concentrated for long hours. All effort is made by parents there
otherwise there is no benefit of online classes at the primary level. Many
students attend online classes just to maintain attendance.
- Weary feeling with 24/7 watchful parents
Many high school and teenage students discovered it hard to stay at home 24/7 and to bear parents' non-stop directives. ‘It is really tough to stay with my watchful mother and annoying sister 24/7. I can’t eat, sit, sleep or even laugh out of my style now. I think I’ll go mad if life doesn’t come back to normal soon. I could never felt that how school was a place to save my privacy,’ Sophia, 15 years old teenage student told. The same is the case with college boys where parents are always on their heads to direct them to hype their stress levels.
'My mother never believes that I'm studying while I'm taking an online class or working on any project,' Zayan, 13, spoke out.
- Poor accessibility to the internet/ Extra cost
Many students couldn't get benefits from online classes due to financial constraints. Their parents were unable to bear the extra cost of internet connections and data packages. Many parents also explained that they can't afford to arrange extra mobiles or gadgets for online classes if more than one child is taking online classes at the same time.
Also, the internet is not available in remote
areas and towns of the countryside. Somewhere teachers seemed to strive
against poor internet than on the other side parents were frustrated while arranging regular internet for children. The quality of video and audio was so poor in many online classes. The extra cost of the internet is a big challenge for parents whose children are taking online classes.
- Uploading unnecessary assignments
Students understood something
or not during online classes, but a pile of home assignments is always there
in school WhatsApp groups. All material is provided online which leads to another expense of buying printers at home to maintain the pace of studies. Students are required to complete the task and
upload it to school systems. It is a real fuss for parents and students that
how to make files and then upload the assignments. Many students felt that no
one on the other side is checking or taking care of their hard work but they
are bound to do it in any way.
- The online exams are more a joke for many students
Like online classes, online
exams are a new experience for students. No one could ever dream of cheating
in exams as it is possible in online exams. Teachers put hard efforts to make
skilled question papers but there are many means to get help in online exams.
It may be parents, elder siblings, or a friend; where you can ask the whole paper.
These online papers are incapable to evaluate student's performance in real. It ultimately loses the charm of nervousness of real preparation for an in-person exam.
- Lacking competent grades
It is a real tough challenge faced
by college students and students of Higher education. It is time for school and
college students to compete for good grades to get admission to professional
universities. Due to the coronavirus, the syllabus is reduced. An uncertain
situation has prevailed throughout the year. They couldn't get regular coaching, or tuitions
during lockdowns. They are facing pressure, frustration, and uncertainty for their
future during the coronavirus. Most Of the concepts are missed which
eventually going to shadow their grades in all upcoming exams. They may face
real challenges getting admissions in professional next-level education
institutes.
- Absence of real evaluation
Students couldn’t get accessed
based on their real skills and performance. Many students got marks and passed
evaluated by previous grades. We observed the same in Cambridge exams. Most of
the students were not satisfied with their grades.
- School got open in the uncertainty created anxiety
Many countries like the USA,
UK, Canada, and other Asian countries opened schools, colleges, and
universities after about a 7-8 month-long break with strict SOP's. It was mandatory
to wear face masks and to maintain social distancing for every student.
Attendance was reduced to 50%. The students who felt excited about going back
to school didn't find their friends in the same group, got annoyed. The
students were not allowed to sit side by side or to share things. School
canteens and playgrounds were locked. This new normal was tough for students to
adapt to. There remained uncertainty about catching covid at any time. Many
students had to sit at home again after catching corona or to come into the
bubble of a covid affected friend.
- Sudden announcements Opening and Closing of schools
A sudden announcement of school
opening and then another sudden announcement of school closing down was another
confusion faced by students. Many countries notified opening physical
schools when corona seemed to reduce at the place. The students started
attending the schools securing their bubbles and were adapting to the situation
when authorities notified school closure for another 15 days or longer due to
surging cases of coronavirus was a normal practice.
- Psychological pressure for facing financial and family crises
Many students faced the loss of
family members due to the coronavirus. Somewhere they were confronted with the
loss of family income. Some family members had to struggle against the virus
and others lost their jobs. Many children in private schools had to abandon the
schools when their parents couldn't manage their high fees. Many parents didn't
find online classes qualified enough and took their children out of school.
Many had to skip the semesters. The situation strongly affected students'
mental health. It had a poor psychological effect on student's performance.
- Missing field trips
Students real missed their
friends when schools and other educational institutes remained closed for long.
Aside from friends students also missed field trips, school funfairs, and
parties. It was tough for students to stay at home all day. Many students
showed grievances that they feel that their parents keep on advising them all
day. There is not any freedom If doing anything on their own which was possible
In school days. "We never thought that leaving school, staying at home,
studying from home will be that terrible" many students told it.
Many of us passed many moments
praying for long school breaks, or a life with no school at all. Coronavirus
confided us that to have a regular, fearless, and safe school has been a
blessing for students.
It was terrible when your
internet interrupts during class. When a teacher is not listening or responding.
Above that when the world was
looking for ways to live with the coronavirus then education institutes were
the last ones that got opened with strict SOP's. As a student, we always wished
for long school breaks and sudden school holidays intensified our excitement.
How it'll be staying at home? We could never think of the time this frustrating time.