Impact Of COVID-19 Pandemic On Student Life And Mental Health
One of its kind the Novel Corona Virus or Covid-19 shut the entire world with only one hit and declared it a pandemic all over the globe. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student life and mental health is concerning. It made no choices for people, society, and the government other than to stay at home, and schools, colleges, and educational institutions had to shut down since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020.
Just before the end of the session, before the final exams of the students, before students entered into sessions, a pandemic was declared and everything stopped there for everyone including students from nursery to universities.
For some students, the year was meant to be their first year in school to enjoy school but the shutdown was announced and it wreaked havoc on the lives of students. The life of a student during this pandemic is so challenging. It impacted students’ life and their mental health as well just like any other person in the world. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student life and mental health can not be ignored.
Impact of COVID-19 on student life
This microscopic size organism entered the lives of people in such a way that it became the reason for thousands of deaths around the globe. Though such a pandemic is not the first one in the age of science, technology, and social media where information travels faster than sound, it captured everyone’s mind. Its impact is so bad that even now when it’s been a year, the situation is the same and it is now taking the worst shape.
Just like the previous year, the school life of students has been shattered. Many states have announced the cancellation of exams, even the boards or they have postponed the exam for a time unknown. We all know the pandemic affects, life as a student and increased also workload. The education sector has completely been affected due to the impact of COVID-19.
Schools, colleges, and universities have been shut down, exams have been cancelled, and online classes have been running in this need of the hour and it harms the personal lives of students and their education life. Today, the environment of schools and colleges has transformed into such a scenario that we never thought of before. The biggest impact of COVID-19 on students’ life.
Education boards of various levels have been adopting different measures so that the education system flows smoothly. Last year, the lockdown was announced which was thought to be for two weeks or a month maximum, but days were converted into weeks and weeks started growing into months and boards declared the results based on the performance of students in the school. They completely nullified the need to conduct the examination which was postponed.
Not conducting board exams or declaring results based on the performance of students in the school has never happened in history and it was the most heartbreaking step in students’ life.
The impact of the COVID-19 shutdown on regular classes in schools or colleges gave birth to the dire need to adopt online classes as an alternative. In Student’s life during a pandemic that a lack of knowledge, skills and devices, irrelevance and issues with system access.
Now every class whether it is a nursery or the classes for a post-graduation degree is running online through ZOOM or Google Classroom. The education system by introducing this alternative tried hard to not let the pandemic impact the lives of students but it did not happen as students are getting affected. Classroom teaching is not limited to only theories but online teaching has too. The overall development of students has been hampering definitely.
Teachers are failing to maintain the habit of discipline and decorum among students in online classes. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, some social and cultural activities are being missed.
The impact of Covid-19 on students’ life is good and also bad. The good things are that students have time to spend with family and also save time. But the bad thing is online classes, where students have health issues. Also, these online classes are a matter of no concern for families who can afford a gadget such as a laptop or a smartphone along with the internet to make their children attend online classes through various platforms.
However, it is a matter of concern for a large section of students who attend government schools and colleges. The parents of these children are not able to afford technology and hence the result is too bad for them. Their entire year has been wasted. The life and future of these weaker sections of students are not good and there are no indications even now as to when things will return to normal and the schools will continue running their normal classes.
Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Students
A school shutdown has caused and continues to create several mental health issues in the lives of students. As per a survey by the Indian Psychiatry Society, about a 20% rise has been recorded in the number of cases of mental illness at the end of March 2020. Since then, instead of getting better, the scenario is getting worse.
Pravin Prakash, Chief People’s Officer, BYJU’S says, “Students are missing out on the crucial balance between studies and play. The emotional effects of being physically distant from their friends, combined with the impact of losing out on playtime could potentially induce stress in students.”
Students are missing out on a balance between study, work, and play and this is serious. Common health issues in students are:
- Students are getting signs of irritability and mood swings.
- Students are having anxiety and low mood
- Their dependence on video games and mobiles is worse.
- They are inclined towards emotional eating or excess eating to cope with emotions such as frustration, depression, stress, boredom, etc.
- Bad impacts of social media can be seen resulting in negative feelings such as low confidence, envy, comparison, low self-esteem, body image issues, etc.
- They are isolating themselves and there is an increase in their anger outbursts.
- Sitting at home all the time made them feel numb and they are suffering from low motivation.
- As they have no other work to do, they are involved in gambling, sexting, watching pornography, etc.
Students and their parents even are not able to recognize the symptoms of mental health issues. Whenever some different behavioural changes are seen in students, it is named ‘bad mood’ but it is more than that. It is really important for realizing the issue of mental health and its treatment.
“Early diagnosis and treatment by professionals can make a significant difference. Treatment often involves medication prescribed by a psychiatrist and psychotherapy by a psychologist. These methodologies have shown a more demonstrable and positive impact. “Realistic expectations from parents and teachers, open communication, and assistance from peers, parents, and teachers can ease recovery,” says Dr Kanoria.
Conclusion
The life of a student during this pandemic is so challenging. They affect life as students given a proper education improve people’s understanding of the world around them. The life and future of these weaker sections of students are not good and there are no indications even now as to when things will return to normal and the schools will continue running their normal classes. Then, you can understand the impact of Covid-19 on mental issues and students’ life.
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