The Impact of COVID-19 on University Student Lifestyle - HOW?

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The Impact of COVID-19 on university student lifestyle - HOW? 

written by Nurul Athirah Binti Mohd Rosli

    The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recently afflicted the entire world, causing huge disruptions in every economic area as well as the education system. The majority of education systems around the world have transitioned to a complete online learning style, either synchronous or asynchronous. As a result, traditional teaching and learning methods were no longer an option for students. This sickness had a huge impact on higher education, resulting in considerable changes that impacted students. Social isolation, quarantines, university closures, border closures, and travel restrictions are among the consequences.

 Universities around the world were facing these challenges, including both the teaching committee and the students. Policymakers made the decision to temporarily close higher learning institutions based on the notion that mass gatherings pose a greater risk during this pandemic. Universities all across the world were forced to go on lockdown and close all of their campuses, forcing students to resort to online learning and digital technologies, often known as e-learning, as a replacement.

Due to the spread of this disease and the closure of physical classes, online learning through the use of several devices like computers, laptops, and mobile phones with internet access in synchronous and asynchronous environments has become the alternative of learning methods. Students have more learning flexibility and can connect with their teachers wherever they wish because of these learning methods and environments. However, these kinds of learning methods have also brought a lot of problems to the students. It is so hard for the students to understand their lessons through online classes, and with their unstable internet connection which makes it even harder. In online learning, there are two modes, synchronous and asynchronous, which are determined by the application of optional interaction timing. Online learning has advantages in terms of independent learning and the development of new abilities.

   However, for impaired students with limited resources and access to online learning can be difficult. Disparity and dropout among them are caused by their inability to access and participate in online learning. Online learning necessitates students’ dedication and discipline, especially for vulnerable students who seek engagement to improve their social skills. It would be difficult for students to do so. In addition, covid-19 has also impacted the university students in managing group discussion tasks as they are not able to meet their group members to make a discussion physically. 

In conclusion, the outbreak of covid-19 has impacted the lifestyle of almost every university student. It has affected the mental and physical aspects of students. So that students need to adapt to the new learning method. In a digital age, universities are a better place to provide students with new skills to continue their studies anywhere they are.

Reference:

Thomas Mandl. 10 Feb 2021, How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Higher Education Learning Experience? Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ahci/2021/6649524/