The severe outbreak of COVID-19 has harshly affected the lives of every individual in our society as most of the people as well as students were asked to remain isolated in their homes to avert the further spread of the virus. The lockdown had inflected some serious implications on the mental health of students resulting in psychological problems including frustration, stress, and depression. Owing to the cancellation of classes, the students were compelled to pursue their classes via online classes which not only restricted their physical movement but also hindered their direct interaction with classmates, friends and teachers. This situation further led to depression and inactiveness amongst the students depending on various factors such as time spent on online classes and self-study, the medium used for learning, sleeping habits, daily fitness routine, and so on.
This article focuses on some major factors which have heavily affected the mental health and education of the students at present and are in the dire need of getting addressed.
1. Depression Caused by Loneliness
Considered as a major risk factor for the mental health and wellbeing of children and young adults, students often suffer depression due to loneliness caused by the restriction of movement and interaction. With parents kept occupied with their online jobs and household chores, the interaction of students gets limited to few certain individuals every day. At a growing stage where exposure to various people and interaction is a necessary aspect, students find themselves in closed rooms due to the lockdown which gradually leads to depression.
2. Restriction to Outdoor Activities and Tours
Outdoor activities comprise a major portion of students at present including sports, tours, excursions, surveys and so on. These extracurricular activities are not only beneficial for the mental health of the students but also effective for the overall learning and development of students. Before the Pandemic struck, students were surrounded by fellow students and classmates which enhanced their physical engagement and kept them active. After the pandemic-induced lockdown was imposed, the students were forced to stay within their houses and carry on their studies via online platforms. This has emerged as one of the major factors of causing depression amongst young students.
3. Online Education
Although online education is not a completely new concept for the students of the 21st century, shifting the total school curriculum to screens has affected the learning and teaching methods. Staring hours to the screen alone in a room has somehow limited the learning capacity of the students. Shifting to a completely different environment all of a sudden where rather than books and study materials, laptops, smartphones and internet connectivity became important factors, the students became more distanced from interactive learning which directly hampered their socialization and communication skills.
4. Concern about Exams and Future
To prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, the exams got cancelled very often which also left many students worried about their future. Although many exams were conducted online but few major exams which required special supervision were cancelled and rescheduled again and again; leaving the students in a confused state for their future and career. With the gaps in the career of students getting enhanced by the passage of every single day, the competition to secure a desirable job remains unperturbed by the arrival of fresh aspirants every year. Staying concerned about exams and the future has also significantly affected the mental peace of the students.
The impact of the Covid pandemic was so sudden and severe, that staying confined within the four walls certainly seems to be the best option for now. But with the virus still lurking in the corners of the world, it is better to stay indoors and stay safe. Since this lockdown has adversely impacted mental health and education, students should frequently stay in touch with parents and teachers who are ready to help them at all stages of life.
