The Impact of the Pandemic (COVID-19) on Higher Education Students: Challenges, Adaptations, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), leading to the implementation of restrictive protective measures. Building on this issue, this article aims to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education students, addressing the challenges faced, adaptations made, and future perspectives. To achieve this, the strategies adopted by educational institutions were explored, such as the transition to remote learning, the difficulties encountered by students in this new format, and prospects, including hybrid teaching models and the importance of developing digital skills. The research employed an inductive method of historical and bibliographic procedures, collecting data from books, journals, reports, and online sources to demonstrate the relevance and urgency of understanding the pandemic’s impacts on higher education students. This study is justified by the unprecedented challenges brought about by COVID-19 for higher education institutions, which had to adapt to ensure the continuity of education rapidly. Understanding the adopted strategies and the difficulties faced by students contributes to improving educational practices in the face of future disruptive events, aiming to ensure quality and accessible education for all students.