The impact of COVID-19 has turned everything around, and the higher education sector is no different. The pandemic has disrupted the lives of students, professors, and administrators alike, resulting in a significant drop in student enrollment and retention rates. However, with the spring enrollment holding steady at 16.8 million, higher education institutions have a reason to be optimistic. But the biggest challenge remains: retaining students during these uncertain times. In this blog post, we will dive deeper into the unseen problems that COVID-19 has highlighted around student retention and the strategies that work to help retain students.
Addressing Emotional Health and Wellbeing: The pandemic has taken a toll on students’ mental health. Anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and social isolation have become common experiences for students during the pandemic. Therefore, investing in student’s emotional wellbeing should be a top priority. Institutions must have robust counseling services, virtual support groups, and resources that can help students cope with mental health challenges. When students feel supported emotionally, they are more likely to stay engaged and motivated to continue their education.
Fostering Community and Connection: The pandemic has disrupted traditional campus life, and students are feeling the loss of social connection. Institutions need to create virtual campus events that offer students the opportunity to engage with their peers and build a sense of community. Additionally, creating a sense of belongingness through student clubs and organizations can help boost retention rates. Students who feel like they belong to something are more likely to stay engaged in their studies.
Providing Flexibility and Accommodations: The pandemic has created a unique set of challenges for students, including unexpected financial hardships, health concerns, and disruptions in learning. In response to these challenges, institutions must continue to provide flexible course offerings, such as online, hybrid, and in-person courses, to accommodate students’ needs. Additionally, institutions must work with students on a case-by-case basis to find solutions to challenges that may arise from living conditions, remote learning, and other unforeseen circumstances.
Leveraging Technology: Technology has been a lifeline for higher education throughout the pandemic. Online learning platforms have enabled students to continue their education despite the pandemic’s disruptions. However, technology can be leveraged in other ways to enhance student engagement and retention. Institutions can use student analytics to identify potential retention risks and take proactive measures to support these students.
Providing High-Quality Instruction: Despite the challenges of online learning, institutions must ensure that their instruction remains of high quality. Students need to feel that they are getting a valuable education, even if it is delivered online. Therefore, institutions must have robust quality assurance systems that monitor the quality of instruction and provide feedback to instructors that can enhance student learning experiences.
COVID-19 has created challenging obstacles for traditional higher education institutions. However, these challenges have highlighted the importance of student retention. Institutions can better serve their students during these uncertain times by prioritizing student emotional wellbeing, fostering community and connection, providing flexibility, leveraging technology, and delivering high-quality instruction. The pandemic has reshaped the higher education sector, and by embracing new strategies, institutions can emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.
