The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected America’s education system, causing widespread shutdowns for many states that kept younger kids, high schoolers, and college students alike left to navigate their schooling from home. While many universities and community colleges have begun reopening their doors to students, most institutions are still offering most of their services and courses online and limiting on-campus amenities and classes. Trying to continue their studies while living through a major pandemic has been an extreme challenge for many students. Here are a few of the difficulties they have had to navigate.
Struggling With Sleep
Insomnia during the pandemic, often referred to as “coronasomnia,” is a real issue that can be considered a crisis in itself. In 2020, there was a 20% increase in pharmaceutical sleep prescriptions. Scientists have been exploring how COVID could be impacting our sleep, and there are several factors at play.
For one, increased stress can make it much more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. College students already deal with more stress and anxiety than the average person, but the pandemic is sure to have added even more. Increased screen time, spending less time outdoors, and getting less exercise all lead to sleep problems as well.
Students who struggle with sleep deprivation often get stuck in a bitter cycle, experiencing more difficulty finishing assignments and exhaustion that leads to even more stress and sleeping problems. Supplements, such as Brillia calming supplements for adults, can help break the cycle.
Missing Social Interactions
For many students, college is more than a place to study and get a degree. With clubs, sororities and fraternities, and internships available, many people enjoy finding communities of people with similar interests and goals as them and see college as an opportunity to make friends and network.
COVID-19 has placed many of these activities on hold, making people feel isolated and lonely in their dorms or other living spaces. This can be especially difficult for students who have just moved away from home and are now separated from friends and family.
Having Difficulties Learning Online
While some people thrive in an online learning environment where they can work when their schedule allows and have more freedom over their college experience, others struggle to maintain focus and motivation when learning in an untraditional setting. Students can become easily distracted when watching lectures over Zoom and may experience a drop in performance.
Experiencing Financial Difficulties
Whether paying for their schooling in cash or depending on student loans, the financial impact of COVID-19 can leave some students stressed about how they’ll be able to finance their studies. Especially for people in the service industry, which college students are a big part of, job loss or major cuts in hours can leave students without the ability to pay for necessities.
College is stressful on its own, but the added difficulty of navigating school during COVID-19 can be too much for students to handle. Students shouldn’t hesitate to seek help from a therapist or find resources or supplements. Explore Brillia reviews for anxiety to learn more about a product that can help.