Unprecedented Times: Assessing Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on College Students’ Academic Experiences and College Life
Osasohan Agbonlahor, Esther O. Lamidi, Larry Gibbs and Sue P. Nash
Abstract:
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruption to higher education, affecting students' academic experiences and overall college life. This study aims to assess the multifaceted impacts of the pandemic on six key aspects of students’ academic journeys: academic focus, graduation, college life, pursuit of higher education, job search difficulties, and job loss. By identifying the challenges faced by students, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds, the study provides insights to guide institutional support and policy interventions. Methods: Data for this study were collected through a multi-campus online survey administered to college students. The survey responses were analyzed using a series of regression models to identify the relationships between key variables and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific attention was given to factors such as family financial stability, emotional support, internet access, and demographic characteristics like minority status. Results: The analysis revealed that students from financially disadvantaged families and those lacking emotional support experienced more severe disruptions to their academic progress. Limited access to reliable internet and difficulties with remote learning were linked to reduced academic focus, delays in graduation, and hindrances to higher education pursuits. Students also faced heightened job search challenges and job loss. Relocation during the pandemic negatively influenced academic performance and employment prospects, with minority students encountering disproportionate challenges across multiple dimensions, including academics, graduation, and employment. Discussion: The findings highlight the compounded effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' academic experiences, particularly for those from vulnerable backgrounds. Financial hardship, emotional isolation, technological limitations, and displacement had a cascading impact on students' educational and career pathways. These results emphasize the need for targeted institutional support, such as financial aid, mental health resources, and enhanced access to digital learning tools, to mitigate future disruptions of this nature. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had far-reaching effects on students’ academic experiences and life trajectories, disproportionately affecting students from marginalized groups. By understanding these impacts, educational institutions can develop more inclusive policies to address disparities in access, support systems, and employment outcomes. This study offers crucial guidance for policymakers and higher education administrators to better prepare for future crises.
Keywords:
COVID-19, pandemic, college students, academic experiences, college life, academic success
Citation: Osasohan Agbonlahor, Esther O. Lamidi, Larry Gibbs and Sue P. Nash (2024). Unprecedented Times: Assessing Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on College Students’ Academic Experiences and College Life. Horizon J. Hum. Soc. Sci. Res. 6 (2), 9–21. https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2024.v6.n2.id1277.p9
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