Srajal 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                       

             

                                                                                                           Credits: Malavika N

 

 

 

Sitting idle for hours in front of the screen and attempting to create and maintain a study environment at home throughout the pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges of online education. However, the thought of stepping out and going back to our old lives is equally terrifying.

The pandemic has adversely affected student life in multiple ways. The shutting down of educational institutions and social isolation has affected all the students. While education has become inaccessible due to the digital divide, there is an emerging mental health crisis amongst people, especially youngsters. There has been an increase in the level of stress,

anxiety and depression among students. Many psychologists believe that this is because of the uncertainty around their academic success and career.

A study published by Kalpana Verma in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry shows that nearly 69% of the people between the age of 20-30 years suffer from mild anxiety and 61% showed the signs of mild depression while 9% suffered from moderately severe depression and anxiety.

Now, as schools and colleges are returning to normalcy, students’ reactions have been optimistic, negative and everything in-between. Even though schools and colleges are taking every possible measure to keep their students safe on campus, many students doubt if the world is equipped to return to sanity or is this the path to a third wave. “I had mixed thoughts about college reopening, education is important but life is more precious. Finally, here I am attending my final year in college with all the precautions possible and trying to make things as gay as possible,” says Aayushi Agarwal, a student at Mount Carmel College.

 Meanwhile, Juhi (name changed), a final-year student at Mount Carmel college says, "online classes have created a digital divide. It is the students who are at a loss. I look forward to attending offline classes as I was unable to access online classes due to bad internet.”

While nothing can be said for certain, all we can do is try our best to keep ourselves safe by following the physical distancing guidelines.  

WHO made a list of recommendations, ranging from community-level measures to personal safety to help everyone in this transition from the virtual to the real world. Here are a few rules to keep in mind while returning to classrooms:

1. The physical distancing of at least 1 metre between students is mandatory at all times.

2. Appropriate space should be made between desks to avoid physical contact.

3. Frequent hand and respiratory hygiene should be practised.

4. Usage of age-appropriate masks by all students is important.

5. Ventilation and environmental cleaning measures should be in place to limit exposure.

6. Educate yourself and your peers on Covid-19 measures.

7. Avoid large groups as much as possible.

8. Proper screening needs to be done before entering the campus.

9. Wash your hands regularly and DO NOT touch your face.

10. Remember to ensure your safety first before helping your peers.

11. Even if you have the mildest symptoms of Covid-19, get yourself tested without fail.

The dilemma of students and parents is natural. On one hand, is the dream of going back to the classrooms and on the other is the trauma and apprehension caused by the pandemic. We have lost countless lives in the last year, many of us have seen our family and friends succumb to this deadly virus and it’s still not over, but that doesn’t mean that the world can come to a standstill. So, let’s pull up our socks and fight this pandemic (but with your masks on).