Challenges and coping strategies of online learning for college students in the context of COVID-19: A survey of Chinese universities

The COVID-19 epidemic has disrupted the normal teaching and learning in universities, which poses significant challenges to higher education. The traditional face-to-face learning mode has been switched to online (distance) learning, causing various influences on students’ academic performance, physical and psychological well-being. As higher education plays a central role in technology innovation and society development, it is of great importance to investigate and improve online learning in the context of COVID-19. This study distributed online questionnaires to undergraduate and postgraduate students from 30 provinces or municipalities in China (covering 88% of the whole country). Results indicate that online learning mode is more likely to reduce the academic performance of lower-grade students (e.g., freshman and sophomore). The learning environment could be one of essential factors affecting the academic performance during online education. Studying at home or dormitory is more evidently correlated with academic performance decline. Regarding the physical and mental health during online learning, most students had experienced eye strain (84%) and cervical stiff (79%), while anxiety is the most prominent mental issue (66% of occurrence). Several coping strategies are suggested to improve the online learning in post-pandemic era, which is essential for higher education and promoting a civilized and sustainable society.