Mental Health Crisis in The Making: The Impacts of Online Learning
- carablackhall7
- Feb 23, 2021
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 1, 2021
Ever since Covid-19 came into our lives during March last year, students have been on a rollercoaster. Online learning has taken over the university experience that everyone knows and face to face lectures alongside peers have been replaced with sitting in front of a computer screen in bedrooms. The mental health of students has always been important, but more so during Covid-19. According to a poll done by Youthsight, more than half of students say they consider their mental health to be in a worse state since the beginning of the pandemic – could online learning be the main reason for this?
A recent poll found that 76% of students who answered believe that online learning has had or is having a negative impact on their mental health. The pressure of keeping up with the workload whilst not having face-to-face support will be making the situation harder for students across the UK.
First year fashion student, Freya Boath said: “I would say that engaging with classmates has been the hardest part of online learning so far and I’m hoping that’s going to change.
“We don’t have any external communication out of class which I find hard to deal with because there is nobody around me who can help me.”
There are many aspects as to why online learning will be having a negative impact on the mental health of students but one thing that is clear is the fact that this is a new way of learning and couldn’t be further from the normal.
Freya said: “It’s been a learning curve, it’s not the regular and I’m finding it hard to be self-disciplined.
“I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety in the past and I found back in March when lockdown started and education closed down, that there wasn’t enough support and because I was already struggling with the class, I fell back a lot and it brought a feeling of worthlessness and I was in a constant state of panic."
One worry of the impacts of online learning for the universities is the potentiality of students dropping out of their courses, or first year students deciding to defer their entry. The lack of socialisation due to online lectures and the lack of face-to-face support are factors which may lead to students believing that dropping out is the best decision for protecting their mental health. Research done by the Lifestyle and Opinions survey (OPN) which was conducted by the Office of National Statistics found that 21% of students who attended university last year believe that their plans to continue with their university course would have been affected if universities started teaching online only.
"Engaging with classmates has been the hardest part of online learning so far." - Freya Boath
During the beginning of the academic year in September, universities across the UK were concerned about the pressures that students were facing regarding hardship funds and their financial situation due to the closure of many part-time student jobs in restaurants and shops due to Covid-19. There were also concerns that many students could find it hard to cope with their classes and lectures being online because although the young people of today are growing up in a digital era, online learning is a different way of student life altogether.
Lecturers have also had to adapt to online learning and the impacts that online learning could be having on the people who actually teach the courses could be affecting the students more than they know.
21% of students who attended university last year believe that their plans to continue with their university course would have been affected if universities started teaching online only.
Freya said: “I am aware that my lecturers have said that they are finding it hard to engage with their students because they can’t see faces and they’re also finding it hard to read the students body language to see if they understand the work.
“A lot of the time, it’s silence when they ask a question.”
Students may feel too nervous to contribute within their classes due to the fear of getting it wrong or feeling humiliated. This will have an effect on the lecturers as well as the students.
City of Glasgow College lecturer, Sarah Gillespie said: “Rest assured the lecturers are just as eager for things to get back to normal as the students are, we just need to wait until it’s safe.
“This is all something we’ve all had to get used to very quickly this year and it’s such a big change on so many fronts.”
There are many changes that lecturers can include within their teaching to best support their students during Covid-19 both within their classes and out with. These include things like checking in regularly with the student, listening more instead of talking and keeping to a routine instead of changing deadlines and class times last minute.
Sarah said: “I am especially aware of my students’ mental health, it’s something that I have constantly got in my own mind.
“When I have one-to-one time with my students, I use that time to check in and provide them with positive feedback and allow them to chat to me about anything. If I can ever find a good podcast episode that covers a lot of the stuff we’ve been reading, I will ask them to listen to this because it allows them to get away from the screen.”
Following the Students and Covid-19 survey from November 2020 done by Save The Student, over 2,000 students were asked how they felt during the pandemic. One of the students who answered the survey said: “I don’t think the government is fully acknowledging the mental health crisis at the moment that is happening everywhere, but I feel that it is especially prevalent in students.”
“This is all something we’ve all had to get used to very quickly this year and it’s such a big change on so many fronts.” - Sarah Gillespie
Further statistics from the Students and Covid-19 survey include that three in five of the students asked said that they have needed to ask for help due to certain circumstances and issues they’ve experienced due to Covid-19. 39% of those that asked for help, said it was difficult or very difficult to receive the help they needed, compared to only 3% who said they found it very easy.
Students across Northern Ireland are going to get a £500 payment from the Stormont Executive due to the disruption that was caused to their studies over the past year. The payment will be made to almost 40,000 students in universities and further education colleges across Northern Ireland.
Many students may have struggled financially during Covid-19 due to the loss of part-time work and the struggles of finding employment due to the closure of businesses during the pandemic. However, the announcement has caused frustration due to part-time students and EU students missing out.
SDLP Economy spokesperson, Sinead Mclaughlin said: “While £500 is not everything students deserve; it will provide some relief to the many who have been struggling.
“There are still many issues outstanding, particularly how we support part-time students and those studying in Britain.”
Plans are also being made across the rest of the UK. Wales has announced that £40m will be given to Welsh universities to support students struggling during the pandemic.
The Scottish and UK government are also aware that help needs to be offered but are yet to announce any further information on student accommodation rent agreements and financial support.
College student, Freya Boath said: “I don’t think enough support has been given by the government, especially with all the uncertainty as to whether or not students would get home for Christmas.”
City of Glasgow College lecturer, Sarah Gillespie said: “I think the government was expecting the colleges and universities to take a more active approach towards things.”
Although it may be argued that students aren’t actually missing out on their academic learning since their courses are being taught online, one aspect of the student experience that they are definitely missing out on is the social aspect that young people look forward to for years.
Following a survey carried out by the University of Warwick’s student newspaper, The Boar, students were asked what things were most important to them during their student experience and 95% said their learning compared to 100% who said socialising with their friends. This shows just how important interaction with others is for young people and students. Online learning has taken away the in-person university experience that first-year students look forward to for years.
City of Glasgow College student councillor and group work facilitator, Lauren Boulazerg said: “I feel that it is not online lectures themselves that are impacting on student’s mental health but everything that goes along with that.
“For example, the isolation of not being able to interact with people throughout the day as we would in college might add to feelings of loneliness.
“One thing I would like students to know, is that they should reach out for support from lecturers, guidance teachers, student services and the wellbeing services if you are struggling.
“I think it is very important for students to realise that this is a really difficult time and I think because students are so adaptable, they almost forget that they are trying their best during a pandemic.”
"They are trying their best during a pandemic." - Lauren Boulazerg, Student Councillor
Freya Boath talks about her experience of online learning and the support she has received from her lecturers.
How to look after your mental health as a student
1. Organise themed nights with your flatmates
If you are living with your student flatmates during the pandemic, then take advantage of this. Socialise together, cook together or watch TV together, any of these things will help you get through this difficult time as well as helping those around you.
You could even organise a flat 'Come Dine With Me' and each of you can organise your own themed night. So simple but so fun.
2. Pay attention to how much news you consume
You may think it's important to follow the news daily but it can also have a negative impact on your mood if you're consuming negative news stories. Of course, follow the updates but not all the time, pay attention to how much you are watching throughout the day.
3. Include exercise within your routine
Physical exercise is so important and arguably one of the most important ways to look after your mental health. Get a quick workout routine up on YouTube and follow it with upbeat music on in the background. You could even follow it along with your flatmates too.
4. Stay in touch with your family
There is no doubt about it, attending university is all about having your own independence but it's so important, now more than ever, to stay connected with our loved ones. Try and call the people closest to you at least once a day to stay in contact and catch up.
5. Allow yourself to have down time
Remember you are trying your best during a pandemic right now, it's okay to feel low sometimes and any feelings you may be having are completely valid.
Allow yourself to feel upset, have some down time and remember that tomorrow is a new day.
Well written piece Cara.