Many aspects of daily life have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, from a nationwide call to stay at home to schools and universities switching to remote learning. While that process has sparked new opportunities to improve the educational landscape, it has also brought newfound challenges to the surface.
The dramatic transition to online learning – and the sometimes unanswered questions related to this process – has increased academic anxiety among several university students I spoke to.
Students already experiencing mental health problems such as academic anxiety or depression are now more vulnerable still. This may be because of physical distancing measures, the disruption of their daily routines, and their new mode of academic instruction.
According to a recently published article by Joyce Lee for The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, the cancellation of extra-curricular activities and loss of part-time employment opportunities are major causes of stress for students during the pandemic.
This is especially true for graduating seniors, who are about to navigate an already competitive job market while coping with online learning in their final year.
Rawya El Lakis, a student of International Studies at the American University of Sharjah, says the switch to online learning has increased her anxiety levels. The issues she faces include limited access to the resources she previously had, such as a more interactive classroom environment, irregular hours and the inability to work amongst her peers.
Rawya has been undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety, prior to and during the period of online learning.
The impact of the crisis has not all been negative. One student told me that this period of remote learning has helped his time-management skills
Another student, who did not wish to be named, says he considers social interactions in the classroom an integral part of his academic performance. He adds that while he previously enjoyed immersing himself in learning in the classroom, he doesn't find that same joy when engaging with the course content online, which he believes is impeding his academic performance.
Like him, Mohamed Sultan, an undergraduate studying finance, found the disruption to his routine due to online learning detrimental to his mental health.
Mohamed notices his motivation to perform has decreased. He does not undergo any form of therapy for mental health challenges, despite being open to the idea. He merely finds the uncertainty of online learning a major source of stress.
Fatima Al Mheiri, who is in the final year of her degree, says she found this semester to be particularly challenging, saying that the combination of remote learning, the overwhelming nature of the pandemic and limited human interaction took a toll on her.
While her university does provide counselling services, she wishes that it had developed a better support system for students. Fatima says she did not feel able to open up to her professors about her emotional well-being and how it has negatively affected her academic performance. She is majoring in International Studies, minoring in psychology, and is part of a mental health advocacy NGO, With Hope. While she has faced mental health issues in the past she says she is currently not facing any.
We have all had to develop coping strategies to navigate the pandemic and this quartet of students are no different: one of them found that meditation and approaching her academic responsibilities in a methodical manner alleviated anxiety.
Another found refuge in regular exercise.
Another reported that establishing a daily routine of virtually reconnecting with friends, working out and sleeping sufficiently had a positive impact on her engagement and performance.
But the impact of the crisis has not all been negative. One student told me that this period of remote learning has helped his time-management skills, giving special mention to the fact that classes are now being recorded.
Crises can also be fresh opportunities to reconsider priorities. In this regard, the continuity of education and the deliverance of course objectives are more pertinent than obsolete requirements such as attendance grades.
Nevertheless, all the students I spoke to agree that these extraordinary circumstances necessitated the quick transition to remote learning. In the words of a few of them, it was the lesser of two evils.
While the process had no blueprint, they are extremely grateful that the continuity of education was considered the priority rather than the academic year just grinding to a halt, as has happened in some other parts of the world.
Covid-19 has left us with an understanding that remote learning is a useful and accessible tool, but that it also places greater burdens upon students. In future, educators must continue to adapt their approach to instruction and, indeed, their relationships with their students.
Omar Al Owais is a Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism in the UAE
more from Janine di Giovanni
match info
Union Berlin 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 40' pen, Pavard 80')
Man of the Match: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
heading
Iran has sent five planeloads of food to Qatar, which is suffering shortages amid a regional blockade.
A number of nations, including Iran's major rival Saudi Arabia, last week cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of funding terrorism, charges it denies.
The land border with Saudi Arabia, through which 40% of Qatar's food comes, has been closed.
Meanwhile, mediators Kuwait said that Qatar was ready to listen to the "qualms" of its neighbours.
RESULTS
%3Cp%3E5pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20RB%20Sarab%2C%20Allaia%20Tiar%20(jockey)%2C%20Khalifa%20Al%20Neyadi%20(trainer)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.30pm%3A%20Mamsha%20Alkhair%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Mutaqadim%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al%20Hadhrami%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6pm%3A%20Emirates%20Fillies%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%20Prestige%20(PA)%20Dh100%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Almotajalliah%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al%20Hadhrami%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6.30pm%3A%20Emirates%20Colts%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%20Prestige%20(PA)%20Dh100%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Fadwaan%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Ahmed%20Al%20Mehairbi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7pm%3A%20The%20President%E2%80%99s%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(PA)%20Dh2%2C500%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Mujeeb%2C%20Richard%20Mullen%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Ketbi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.30pm%3A%20The%20President%E2%80%99s%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20Dh380%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Western%20Writer%2C%20Richard%20Mullen%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
More on Quran memorisation:
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Wednesday and the pair embraced but he failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
