Now that your student has transitioned to their new online college environment, they face new challenges. Staying motivated and focused isn’t easy. Students are overwhelmed by coursework, miss their friends and social life, and don’t know how long this new way of life will last. Although the college semester has a finish line, it still seems a long way off. In this episode Lynn and Vicki share with parents some observations about the specific challenges many students are facing right now both academically and in their daily lives as well as some suggestions for coping with these obstacles. Parents can’t fix all of their student’s issues, but understanding what they are can help parents provide the guidance students may need.
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In this episode, Lynn and Vicki share some of the challenges their students have encountered as they have settled in to try to complete their work at home. The first transition to online learning was difficult for many students, but many have now found their routines. However new challenges arise as students face the loss of their friends and social life and realize that this stay-at-home life may last longer than they had expected. Students face new challenges now that the initial transition is over.
In case you missed it, listen to Episode #013 – Special Episode – COVID – 19 – When Your College Student Needs to Complete the Semester at Home where we discuss the transition issues that many students face. Some of those issues are still real for many students.
For those who would rather read, we also have an article on some of the same topics. Completing the College Year at Home.
If you’d like a view of learning-at-home from the professor’s view, read Vicki’s article for Collegiate Parent: I’m a Professor. Here’s What I’d Like Parents to Know as Learning Goes Online.
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Hello, I really enjoy listening to this podcast. We’re currently having problems with our son and his first semester. He has spent a month in college and already wants to drop out. He doesn’t like “school”. It may have to do with the fact that most of his classes are online and that most of the fun activities on campus are closed. Could you please advise me how to go about it? I would like for you to cover how students are coping learning online and spending most of the time in their dorms.
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad to hear that you are finding the podcast helpful. Your suggestion of a topic about coping with online classes and limited activities is a good one. We’ll try to address that in a future podcast or perhaps an article on the site. It’s an important topic as this semester is so different for students. In the meantime, try to remind your son that even though this is lasting longer than anyone thought at first, it is temporary. College life will get back to normal eventually. Most schools are working to try to provide activities for students and to help them connect with others. Encourage your son to reach out, at least electronically, to students around him or in his classes. Encourage him to find outdoor activities to do with other students. It may take more initiative than in the past. Online courses are definitely different and we’re all learning how to do them better. We all hope that things will improve as the semester progresses.
Hello Vicki, this is Ms Marie. Everytime I am reading in College parent makes me feel blessed because I got exactly that I would like to read, or see to encourage me to keep my son strong to reach his college goal. You are so kind. Thank you so much.
Dear Marie,
Thank you for your comment. It is always good to hear that our information can help families support their students. Good luck to your and to your son!
Vicki