The world is currently under a lot of pressure and stress due to COVID-19, and with the number of cases in the United States growing at a rapid rate, the world is in complete chaos and it’s affecting everyone.
For many people, this pandemic can already increase anxiety, depression, and fear. Students are feeling all types of emotions. For some students, the cancellation of in-person classes and the move to online classes is causing a rise in anxiety.
The move to online classes is particularly challenging for computer-related majors or majors with lots of math or science, because the need for face to face learning and labs are even more necessary.
Current Cal State Fullerton student and computer science major Lauren Martinez said, “I did get anxiety over the sudden change to online courses due to the fact that mine is not made to be online. I’m sure other students are anxious about contracting the virus and that may affect their school work but personally, I don’t. It’s not really something I think is important to dwell on.”
There are students who are adapting to this very fast, but there are also students who are having a hard time adapting, which could possibly cause anxiety.
Isabella Peregrino, a current student attending Arizona State University said, “I do not think that I have anxiety due to the fact that class was moved to online. I think that I am managing well online so far and it is just like the regular class but just at home. I can only speak for myself that I am not facing anxiety by worrying about the virus and doing well in school. However, I do believe that there are other students out there who are struggling with both.”
Some students’ concerns with moving everything online were about teachers who aren’t very comfortable with technology adapting to this transition. Some professors rarely even use Canvas, which can worry students concerned about succeeding and passing their classes.
COVID-19 is the main topic on every media platform right now because of how many cases and deaths there are, creating added stress as well as a distraction for students trying to do their work.
Students are losing their jobs. Students are losing loved ones. Students are having anxiety attacks. Students don’t know when they are graduating. Students need that one-on-one talk with professors.
Current LBCC student Julian Javate said he believed students could face anxiety during the pandemic and the online transition, “potentially due to maybe suffering from lack of social interaction.”
Anxiety due to the pandemic is affecting students’ education. There are lots of students who are currently unemployed, and there may be students who currently have loved ones who are in the hospital due to the virus. It can be difficult to focus on schoolwork while experiencing these stressors.
To the students who are dealing with anxieties, turning off the media and going out for a run or watching a TV show are ways to get your mind off of things. If you are having trouble with classes or adapting to online, talk to your professors. We are all in this together and we all need to help each other out.