Fostering Students’ Emotional Connectivity

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our daily lives in ways we could never have imagined. In March 2020, educational institutions were forced to take drastic measures to ensure the safety and health of their students and personnel. Schools sent students home and closed their doors, disrupting the Spring semester for millions of students. However, this was just the beginning of the challenges that educational leaders would face.

In the months that followed, higher education institutions were forced to reimagine the way they operate in light of the pandemic. This involved pivoting to a new normal that prioritized the safety and well-being of students and personnel while also ensuring that academic programming could continue. This was no easy task, and it required a great deal of creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

As the summer passed and the Fall semester approached, leaders were faced with even more difficult decisions. Should schools reopen? Should they remain closed? Should student learning be conducted online or in person? These were all pressing questions that needed to be answered quickly in order to ensure that students' education could continue uninterrupted.

In addition to the health pandemic context, educational institutions have had to grapple with other pressing issues, such as political impacts, racial injustice, and societal unrest.

Discoveries Birthed Within Global Distresses

Reopening schools amid COVID-19 consisted of attempts at in-person attendance, remote learning, and hybrid plans as we approached the end of the Fall 2020 semester. In retrospect, many discoveries were birthed within the nine months between the Spring and Fall semesters.

Trends of decreasing enrollments and increasing dropouts, especially for first-generation, low-income students, are noticeable. Estimated reasons for these trajectories include the lack of Wi-Fi, fear of the coronavirus, and worsening finances.

High anxiety as we go through a global trauma. Students face various hardships (a) Food insecurities were previously addressed in part by school and campus meal programs. (b) Housing insecurity and unsafe living environments, wherein before campus, housing provided them with a sanctuary while attending college. (c) The stress of parents who may have lost a source of income. (d) Fear of catching the coronavirus and the grief of losing family members to it.

Rising concerns by educators for academic and student support. Their worries include teaching educational content through digital media, coupled with the well-being of their students. Most educators demonstrated competence in online learning tools' application, particularly in day-to-day academic responsibilities like recording lectures or hosting group class discussions. Time and care have gone into pivoting and ensuring the student experience goes smoothly; however, emotional connectivity needs to be added.

emotional connectivity is essential for addressing students' psychosocial development and well-being

If Spring/Fall 2020 has taught us anything, emotional connectivity and student support are more critical now than ever. The pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges, affecting students' lives in multiple ways. From remote learning to social distancing, many changes have occurred and have been challenging.

With all these changes, it has become clear that emotional connectivity is essential for addressing students' psychosocial development and well-being. The pandemic has shown us that students struggle most, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Decreasing enrollment and increasing dropouts are some outcomes that bear testament to this.

In light of the lessons learned over these months and beyond, educational experts emphasize the importance of prioritizing relationships and well-being now more than ever. Students need to feel connected and supported emotionally, which should be a priority for all educational institutions. To achieve this goal, educators must cultivate relationships with their students, encourage open communication, and provide resources and support for their well-being. This approach may involve providing access to counselors, mentors, and other support services to help students navigate their challenges.

Three Strategies to Support Students' Emotional Connectivity

1. Transfer Familiar Routines and Relationships: The sudden shift to virtual learning this past year has disrupted students' social and emotional connections on campus. As educators, limiting this disruption and maintaining continuity in our students’ lives is essential. By implementing virtual social gatherings and mentorship programs, students can still build relationships and be part of their school community. Providing time for students to interact with each other in non-academic settings is also critical for developing social and emotional connections.

2. Build Community, Not Compliance: It is essential to keep students engaged and motivated in virtual learning environments. By giving students options and inspiring them to show their faces, they can feel more connected to their peers. Integrating SEL strategies such as icebreakers and games can also help to build a sense of community, making students more comfortable participating in virtual meetings.

3. Personal Check-Ins and Connections: Building trust and understanding with students and their families is crucial during a pandemic. Reaching out to students and their families in personal ways to check in and connect them with resources can help support their emotional well-being during challenging times.

At Beyond College Access, we offer a range of services and resources designed to help you and your team meet challenges such as these head-on. We work closely with practitioners in higher education and partners in K-12 and non-profit sectors to provide evidence-based strategies that help students navigate the complexities of college life and provide the support they need to thrive.