LEC052020- ELIZABETH JACOB- DIGITAL LEARNING- PROSPECT OF MENTAL STRESS AND DEPRESSION IN UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE STUDENTS

DIGITAL LEARNING- PROSPECT OF MENTAL STRESS AND DEPRESSION IN UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE STUDENTS

COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the rhythm of academic sector globally since the beginning of 2020. Physical access to the classroom has been restricted and online classes are accepted widely as the “new normal in education”(Gautam) during this unprecedented time. A year passed since the birth of this pandemic, and almost all schools and a specific number of colleges and universities across the nation have reopened their campus for the students. The mental distress faced by students in the online medium of learning is triple the stress given by offline learning. Universities and colleges which remain closed due to pandemic should resume offline classes in order to reduce the mental stress and pressure on students caused by online classes.

First of all, the major advantage of digital learning is that it allows the students to attend class from any location of their choice. “Students are not restricted by geographical boundaries” (Gautam). In addition, the classes can be archived for future references, and it also has given certain financial benefits. Teachers are benefitted more from the online mode because it has proved effective in recording attendance flawlessly and in keeping track of their studies, exams assignments and other activities. Regardless of all these benefits, this mode of learning is not favoured by students because its shortcomings outnumber its positives.

For instance, absence of a consistent internet connectivity is a major challenge faced by digital learning. In the rural parts of the nation online education is still not feasible. The economically weaker sections of the society find it difficult to have access to e-gadgets and thus get marginalized. The physical problems caused by the screens are several and severe.

In addition to this, the online mode of learning puts the students under a lot of mental stress. Studies have proved that the new mode of learning has increased mental stress and depression in students. Bombarding the students with cartloads of assignments and works is the major reason behind this. Students struggle to manage their time to study and to do their works. They batter their brain, and fail to find time to relax. Sleeplessness, fatigue and mood swings are just a few among the difficulties. So it is necessary to look into the importance of campus life.

Campus life plays a significant role in relieving mental stress to a certain extent. In campus, students are in the company of their peers. Also, there are several extracurricular activities like NSS, NCC, sports, arts festivals, field trips etc. which act as stress relieving agents. Researches show that “students are unable to get access to mental health support; this condition offers a situational demand to measure psychological distress among university and college students” (Hasan and Bao).

Thus, “Supporting mental health needs of its students is a critical mission for each university” (Schroeder). The students’ demand to reopen the campuses has gained strength since the past few months. Several higher education institutions are yet to resume on-campus classes due to the fear of pandemic. Since COVID-19 is almost under control in several regions and with COVID vaccines in market, the higher educational institutions should seriously take into consideration, the reopening of campuses.

To sum up, the higher education institutions remain closed because they are concerned about the physical health of their students. Along with physical health, a sound mind is also required for the process of learning. So they should take into consideration, their students’ mental health too. But the dangers of the pandemic should not be disregarded completely and the physical classes should be resumed in phases.

Works Cited

Gautam, Priyanka. “Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning”. eLearning Industry. 10 Oct.2020. elearningindustry.com. Accessed 25 Feb.2021.

Hasan, Najmul, and Yukun Bao. “Impact of "e-Learning crack-up" perception on psychological distress among college students during COVID-19 pandemic: A mediating role of "fear of academic year loss".” Children and youth services review vol. 118 (2020): 105355. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105355

Schroeder, Ray. “Online:Trending Now”. Inside Higher Ed. 1 Oct.2020. insidehighered.com. Accessed 25 Feb.2021.