The Impact of the Pandemic on Higher Education
Higher education often means meeting new people, enjoying new experiences, and discovering new places. With lockdowns and pandemic restrictions in place, particularly with uncertainty due to the emergence of COVID variants, much has changed about how students learn.
Estimates show the pandemic affected
For young adults, missing even one semester is a considerable inconvenience and many plans had to be adjusted in light of the circumstances. This delayed or altered the start of many curriculums—and new careers.
How severe was the impact of the pandemic on higher education?
Economic Impact
In secondary education, school closures mean economic losses, and this has become a pressing concern. A vast reduction in the , so missed opportunities for learning have consequences later in life. Ultimately, poor skills levels can reflect a poor GDP that can equate to a total economic loss of . Even prominent institutions in the US have resorted to online teaching to ensure learning continuity.
While some still offer hybrid learning, it’s now a given that online learning will remain a popular choice among college students, particularly for those who have already adapted to this current mode of instruction and learning. It also helps that many robust online learning platforms now exist to provide students with a variety of avenues for learning.
Postponement of college education
However, not everyone is willing or can learn online. In the US, the because they don’t want to risk traveling to a foreign country during the pandemic. Moreover, some students defer their studies because some programs, like basic and advanced life support training programs, require special equipment for hands-on learning.
in the future. For instance, enrollments in the medical field, such as nursing, paramedics, and EMT training, have increased considerably. In 2020, nursing program enrollments rose by almost 6%.
“In the pandemic, we saw an increased visibility of nurses, and I think that’s been inspirational to many people,” Deb Trautman, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) president and CEO. “It’s a profession where you can make a difference.”
Enrollment in technical schools
Due to the pandemic, many students are turning to technical schools to get their education. Why? Technical schools offer several advantages. One is the access to quality and accredited education at a fraction of the cost of some colleges. With many families affected by the economic downturn due to the pandemic, many couldn’t afford to have huge student loan debts.
Another reason technical schools have become a popular option among students is that it allows them to complete their education faster while targeting skills and knowledge to help them start a career sooner.
Conclusion
The pandemic continues to show that it’s not over, and institutions and students must be willing to adapt to move forward. While it’s good to reassess your options, students need to remain committed to getting the education they want. Explore our programs to learn what courses you can take.
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