During the coronavirus pandemic, students have become less motivated and are more lonely, this year's Studiebarometer shows. At the same time, students have devoted roughly the same amount of time to study and paid work this year as before, and most believe the pandemic will not cause school delays.
It's hard to stay motivated
- It was a really difficult year for many students, so I understand perfectly well that it is difficult to stay motivated. That is why I am very happy that most students believe that they will finish their education as planned, says Minister of Science and Higher Education Henrik Asheim.
This year's edition of the "Studiebarometer"
In this year's edition of the Studiebarometer, about 30 people answered the questions. students. In addition to the questions that came up every year, students were asked how the pandemic situation affected student life, both academically and socially.
Longing for the environment
About half of the students said they were more lonely, and nearly four out of five missed the environment and the social aspect of learning.
- For almost a year, students have been following the classes on the computer screen in the dormitory. When roughly half say she was lonelier, it is a clear signal that they need to return to a more normal curriculum as soon as possible, says Kristin Vinje, director of NOKUT - the National Unit for Quality in Education, which has primary responsibility for implementation and analysis. research.
A year full of distance and little social contact
- It was a year full of distance, little social contacts and a lot of time alone. I am concerned about the consequences both in the short and long term. It is for this reason that I have made demands that colleges and universities work better with students while also giving money to create social and academic offerings. Hopefully we can gradually regain student life on campuses in the spring, says Asheim.
Students find online learning less motivating
70 percent of students say they did not teach online before the pandemic closure. Of these, seven out of ten thought they had less benefit from teaching after infection control measures were in place, and about the same proportion thought online learning was less motivating.
The closure of campuses has hit many students hard
Six out of ten students say there is no good place to work at home.
- This may mean that many students are dependent on the reading room or other offerings. Not everyone lives to have a home office, says NIFU researcher Elisabeth Hovdhaugen, who, along with NOKUT, was responsible for formulating questions about how the crown pandemic affected students in spring 2020.
72 percent of respondents believe that physical meetings are essential for learning.
- There are differences in the level of student satisfaction from different disciplines and institutions. This is also my impression when meeting with student leaders. Some have had the opportunity to participate in digital colloquiums and have had faculty members having engaging online academic discussions, while other students have not received the same offer. Hopefully colleges and universities will use research to learn from each other, says Asheim.
Students spend the same amount of time studying
This year, students spent about the same time studying together as in previous years. However, it was a bit less time for organized educational activities and a bit more time for self-study.
Students were also asked how much time they spent on paid work after March 12. 40 percent said they spent less time working. 41 percent said they spent the same amount of time and 20 percent said they spent more time.
How the Coronavirus Pandemic Affects Students' Lives and Learning in Norway How the students dealt with their finances
70 percent experienced little or no financial problems as a result sick leave or work half part time. While for 20 percent this is reality.
Read our article on vocational training in Norway
- We have just presented a proposal for a new student package which, on the one hand, compensates for the lost income. On the other hand, it creates thousands of new jobs for students. It will also help you prepare more professional and social offers. Hopefully this will make the difficult everyday life less of a burden, says Asheim.
