On the Verge of Learning

They were registering for online courses and face-to-face class sizes were the smallest they've ever been. "It's new, people are still scared, it's to be expected." That's what we were all thinking.

The first week of every semester, I ask my students (Marketing and Digital Marketing) to fill out a questionnaire that is only seen by me. It asks things like what name they want to be called, their pronouns, their comfort level with technology, if they have learning challenges, etc. That first semester, 74%-86% percent of the students in my courses identified as having anxiety, depression, and/or ADD/ADHD. 

Let that sink in. 102 of 150 students in my courses alone.

We knew COVID had spurred a national mental health crisis, we just didn't quite know yet how that would impact education. Some of them had crippling anxiety about stepping foot on campus. Students were reaching out because they had forgotten how to cope, how to interact, how to be human. That semester, I worked with Disability and Diversity Resources more than I ever have and I was regularly referring students to mental health services. It was not just me. This was happening to most of my co-faculty. 

Now, in September 2023, we're finally seeing those percentages drop significantly. This semester's cohort of students is one of the largest face-to-face classes I've had in years. They're eager to make new connections, to socialize and laugh in the classroom, and to have that college experience. But, my favorite part? They're not afraid to talk about mental health.