New world order: Covid-19 is changing how we think

Students are looking at college in a new light during the current pandemic. On top of dealing with the stresses associated with the new normal of Covid-19, they are thinking about how the world will look when they receive their degrees. These unprecedented times don't come with a user manual, and the closest experience other students had was graduating during the midst of the recession in the late 2010s.

Students are changing their college plans for the upcoming semesters while the pandemic continues to erode the world we once knew. Current college students are finding new struggles, and incoming students' anxiety about picking the right school is amplified during the crisis.

High School Grads Looking More Closely at Education Options

One of the exciting parts of going off to college is the freedom of living on your own. Students have been looking forward to leaving their parents behind so they can make their own decisions—some of which their parents wouldn't approve of. Covid-19 restrictions changed the perks of going to certain schools. New policies and health orders take away from students' opportunities and freedoms associated with going to school.

According to Bootcamprankings, when students don't have extracurricular activities to choose from, they will look more closely at the universities' academic pros and cons to choose a bachelor's degree.

How colleges implement Covid-19 restrictions will have a significant impact on whether students enroll or not. Online classes aren't the most appealing options for students who crave personal contact with their professors. At the same time, schools run a risk of backlash if they offer in-person classes and are forced to cancel them due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

Finances Are More Crucial Than Ever

Student loans were an issue for students before the pandemic shut down industries and caused the economy to bottom out. With high unemployment and low hiring rates, students have less confidence in their ability to pay off their loans once they graduate. Even the cheapest online schools can stretch a student's finances too thin.

Finances are a greater concern for students of color and low-income families. University Business found that students of color were negatively impacted at a rate double of their white peers. Fifty-four percent of the students of color in the survey said that financial aid was "absolutely critical" to their decisions to re-enroll in the upcoming fall semesters. As the pandemic drags on, the situation will only get worse for students who belong to minority groups.

Students Are More Prepared for Change Than Ever

Aside from World Wars, the current pandemic is disrupting the lives of more people than any event in modern history. Students were in school one day and learning through their computer screen the next. While the continual and rapid change isn't ideal for the learning experience, it does help students build character and resilience. When the pandemic finally does end, these students will know they can achieve anything.

As students become more agile, they will also see education in a different light than any other generation has before. Students who want to make an immediate impact will forego the traditional route of a four-year school in favor of earning an online degree.

Online degrees are building a more positive reputation since so many more people have experienced online learning. Instead of being looked down upon, students and teachers realize the different benefits and difficulties online learning presents. This change in viewpoint will help students attend the school that best fits their learning style.

More Students Are Staying Local

Major universities across the US are seeing increases in student applications from students within their states. Michigan State University saw in-state student applications rise 15 percent, and out-of-state applications drop by the same margin. Students, and probably parents, feel safer during these uncertain times when they are closer to home. Students will also see fewer international students on campus due to travel restrictions and visa issues caused by the pandemic.
Colleges Are Going to Have to Adapt to New Mindsets Covid-19 is adding multiple more layers to how students decide what school they attend. Colleges need to quickly pick their new policies and create public contingency plans so that students know what to expect if Covid-19 changes a school's ability to offer in-person classes or housing in dormitories.

Covid-19's Impact Will Be Felt for Years

Even if the world gets back to normal, Covid-19 will leave its scars. Not all of the changes caused by Covid-19 are bad. In fact, many of the hardships faced during the crisis will lead to great ideas that will improve the education industry.

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