Abstract
This chapter explores academic well-being and engagement among emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced educational institutions to move all teaching activities to online platforms. College educators and students were not prepared to make this transition. Moving from a traditional model of education to completely online education, from a teacher-centered system to a mode of self-driven learning, lack of resources, absence of supportive learning environment, lack of social connection with peers and teachers, prolonged screen time, technology, and non-engaging instructional designs were some of the significant challenges and concerns for educational institutions and adult learners. While young children received supervision and guidance from parents and teachers, the needs of emerging adults were largely neglected. Emerging adults were expected to take up self-learning and be self-motivated to continue learning. Absence of academic belongingness could negatively affect students’ mental health and well-being, putting them at risk of feeling disengaged, depressed, lonely, and stressed. Working on the strengths of emerging adults and their relevant protective factors could be an excellent opportunity to make them connected and engaged in the academic context. The chapter calls the attention of psychologists and educationists to design interventions for well-being, healthy academic engagement, joy, passion, motivation, and purpose in the learning process.
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Asanjarani, F. (2022). Academic Well-Being Among Emerging Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Overview. In: Leontopoulou, S., Delle Fave, A. (eds) Emerging Adulthood in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Crises: Individual and Relational Resources. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22288-7_13
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