The college experience shifted seemingly overnight as enrolled students were forced to adjust to the new limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. Since then, college access and student life has continued to evolve with new restrictions and health guidelines as variants and vaccinations make their mark.
Initially, the culture shock of changing from on-campus interactions and classes to fully online education forced students out of their comfort zones. Gone were the days of dashing off to your 8 am classes (that you may have shown up late to), long walks across campus as you hustle to the next class, study session, or get-together with friends.
That’s not to say that student life is no longer enjoyable or engaging. It’s simply different in these new times! While they may have been ushered in quickly by the threat of a pandemic, a new version of college student life is indeed here to stay and can be experienced in fulfilling ways.
Online Classes
While not all college courses are available yet entirely online, the numbers have risen to where almost half of the classes can be completed while working remotely. Students are no longer running across campus. They simply log in now, many times at their own convenience, and learn while sitting in their dorm room or apartment sipping their favorite drink and snacking away on various food items.
While this may be a case when people feel distanced from other students, it doesn’t have to be that way. Check with your instructor or other university resources about other ways to connect with your peers. Web-based study sessions and forums can give you the chance to collaborate with others. Many colleges may also have guidelines for acceptable socially distanced activities where you can learn in a group setting while also remaining safe.
Helpful Technology
While college students can reach out to their professor when having difficulty with a topic, they might not always receive a quick reply. When teaching courses, online or otherwise, most instructors can become inundated with countless emails and requests from their students. It might take a couple of business days for your professor to respond to you.
Fortunately, there are other technology resources available to help you keep moving forward in your studies. Universities often also have help centers to support students with writing and math. However, these usually aren’t 24/7 and might have a bit of a wait as well (though not as long as waiting on course faculty).
Another helpful alternative is to subscribe to a homework help app like Kunduz. Featured in Forbes, Inc., Fortune, and a number of other top publications, Kunduz is quickly making its name in the EdTech space for both high school and college students looking for timely help with questions about their studies.
- With a monthly subscription which costs less than half of a typical in-person tutoring session, users can submit a question on any subject whenever the need arises. One of over 35,000 tutors will respond back with a correct answer, usually within 15 minutes. And if it takes more than 30 minutes for you to receive a response, your account is credited. You can also chat directly with the tutor for any follow-up questions.
- The added benefit is that this tech solution makes tutors available 24/7 as a source of on-demand homework help.
This means if you need math help with solving equations such as the derivative of arctan or linear pairs, Kunduz can be your personal math problem solver, study partner, and homework helper.
Staying Connected
Of course, college life isn’t just about going to classes and studying late into the night. Connecting with peers with similar interests is also an important part of student life. Despite remote learning and social distancing regulations, there are still ways to keep the social aspect of college intact.
Students can consider joining clubs or societies that connect people with similar interests. Many of these may have also switched to online, video, or hybrid models. Allowing you to meet others. Additionally, don’t be afraid to reach out to other classmates in courses especially within your field of study. This can be a form of networking that can take you further in your career. Remember that even with remote classes, it is important to establish relationships with your peers, mentors, and faculty as you enter adulthood. Knowing the right people and forging lifetime friendships are all part of the college experience!
Accept Change
Student life for college students has changed immensely, and it seems that many of these changes are here to stay. Thankfully, we have the technology to help keep us connected, allowing us to learn and thrive in this new normal.
While the transition to remote or hybrid learning may be difficult or less than ideal for some, accepting it as part of how a college education will be from now on has benefits outside of academics. Learning to work appropriately through online courses with assistance through other platforms can help prepare you for the reality of remote or hybrid work after college, which is an increasingly common trendin a number of careers. Participating in a hybrid college experience can help you prepare for the future and show prospective employers that you have the skills needed to perform well in your role no matter where you work from.
