In recent years, the mental health landscape on college campuses has become increasingly concerning. Studies show that a staggering number of students are grappling with mental health challenges, with nearly every student meeting the criteria for at least one mental health problem. Despite the prevalence of these issues, many students are unaware of the resources and programs available to support them. The statistics paint a realistic picture: 73% of college students experience symptoms of mental health conditions and almost one-third report that they have trouble functioning due to mental illness. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address mental health concerns within university communities. While most colleges and universities offer resources and programs aimed at supporting student mental health, the challenge lies in ensuring that students are aware of and know how to access these services. Too often, students suffer in silence, unaware of the support networks available to them.

At Penn State University, we have Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), a valuable resource dedicated to providing mental health support to students. However, despite the presence of such services, there have been complaints regarding accessibility and effectiveness. Some professors give mental health days without any repercussions, others don’t. Students have to decide between their education and their mental health.  Although there has been some controversy about mental health days. Some say that it’s not a permanent solution, it only serves as a band-aid to the solution. Students continue to be burned out and over time it could affect their work and grades. It’s clear that more needs to be done to bridge the gap between students in need and the resources available to them, ensuring equitable access to support services for all students.

One crucial step in addressing the mental health crisis on college campuses is to normalize conversations about mental health. By reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, we can create a culture where students feel comfortable seeking help when they need it. This can be achieved through education and awareness campaigns that promote understanding and empathy. Additionally, universities must prioritize the development and implementation of comprehensive mental health support systems. This includes investing in counseling services, hiring qualified mental health professionals, and providing training for faculty and staff to recognize and respond to signs of distress in students. Technology can also play a vital role in expanding access to mental health resources for college students. Online platforms and mobile apps can provide students with convenient and confidential avenues for seeking support, counseling, and self-care resources. Ultimately, addressing the mental health crisis on college campuses requires a multi-faceted approach that involves collaboration between students, faculty, administration, and mental health professionals. By working together to promote awareness, reduce stigma, and expand access to resources, we can create a supportive environment where every student feels valued, heard, and empowered to prioritize their mental health. This isn’t an isolated issue it’s a national emergency that must be taken care of. What are your thoughts on bringing more awareness to college campuses?

Sources:

https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/mental-health-crisis-college-campuses

College Mental Health Toolkit

The slow rise in tuition has led students to become more in debt than ever. In a past post, I talked about the rising cost of tuition across the US and how it has led students to take out loans. Today I’m going to be focusing on how we got to this point and the situation now.

The student loan program began in 1958 by Eisenhower for students studying math or science. It continued to expand under subsequent presidents, this made education easier to access. In the 2008 financial crisis, the government cut funding for public universities, which raised costs and tuition to make up the difference that they lost from funding. F. King Alexander, the former president of Louisiana State University stated in the Guardian that “We’re quietly privatizing public higher education throughout the country.” He isn’t wrong the average cost of a private university is $41,540 compared to a public university at almost $30,000 for out-of-state students, making it harder for students to get their degree. Furthermore, the burden of student loan debt disproportionately affects lower-income families, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting socioeconomic mobility. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds often face significant barriers to accessing higher education, and those who do attend college may be forced to take on more debt or forgo their education altogether due to financial constraints.

We are expected to make a life decision after graduating from high school at 18 years old. being told that having an education is important and that without it we won’t be able to have a successful job. The lack of a college degree is a barrier that we face and will affect our future. According to the Guardian, 43% of the US population has an outstanding debt of over 1.73 trillion. In light of these challenges, policymakers must consider implementing comprehensive reforms to address the student loan crisis. This could include initiatives such as loan forgiveness programs, income-driven repayment plans, and increased government funding for higher education. By enacting meaningful policy changes, we can mitigate the adverse effects of student loan debt and ensure that all individuals have access to affordable education and opportunities for socioeconomic advancement.

The debt is made worse by student loan services which manage the loans on behalf of the government. In theory, they are supposed to be a guide to navigate the system. Yet in practice, they often make problems worse. having misinformation and incorrect billing leads to payment plants having a 99% failure rate.

After graduation, we are then faced with another problem. finding a job to pay off the loans, leading many to compete in the job marketplace. Most if not all aren’t getting a high-paying job, instead get minimum pay. Moreover, the rising interest rates on student loans exacerbate the financial burden faced by borrowers, as high-interest payments can significantly inflate the total amount owed over time. This can make it even more challenging for graduates to repay their loans, especially if they experience financial hardships or struggle to find well-paying jobs after graduation.

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/27/politics/us-student-loan-debt-timeline/index.html

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/mar/18/john-oliver-student-debt

Standardized testing has had a role in our education system for the longest time. It’s used to measure students in a “standardized” manner putting them against a set standard for their grade level. The most common tests are the SAT and ACT, which many if not all of us took. In recent years many students had the option to submit or not submit their scores to their colleges. There have also been many discussions surrounding the “worth” of standardized tests. We have been exposed to them since we were young, and the test is usually timed and regulated.   There are many positives to the tests have to offer an objective measurement of education and good metrics to gauge areas for improvement, yet they only determine which students are good at taking tests not whether they know the information therefore they have no meaningful measure and don’t improve the students’ performance. Many students who score high scores usually know the material but some don’t and just have great testing skills. Which they learned from private tutors or some other source. According to the Pros and Cons list of standardized testing, the test offers meaningful data to help students in marginalized groups, but they are racist, classist, and sexist. As mentioned before more people who live in wealthier areas typically have more access to resources such as practice, tests, and tutors who can help them get a higher score. Lastly, the test scores are good indicators of college and job success, but the tests are not predictors of future success. Being tested on the subject and doing well on the test can show the college that you are prepared to take the college-level exams, but they won’t show your success in the future when there are no exams. In the New York Times Opinion piece, the author stated that there were not only two options but also suggested a third. to fix the test without getting rid of it completely. The use of standardized tests skyrocketed after the 2002s after the No Child Left Behind Act that mandated annual testing in all 50 states. Yet shortly the failures in the education system have been blamed on the rise in poverty failures in teacher quality, tenure policies, and, increasingly, the pervasive use of standardized tests. Without testing it would be harder for the public to discover that balanced literacy doesn’t work. Although this opinion piece focused on younger grades, I feel like we can take a similar take on the SAT and ACT where they are now becoming options to submit to colleges. In the student time’s opinion, they discussed how researchers found that the sources are lower for minorities than for white and Asian communities. the main issue or topic that was discussed is whether the test hurts diversity since not everyone is given an equal playing field. What are your thoughts? Should we fix the way standardized testing is done, get rid of it altogether, or keep it the way it is?

Sources:

https://standardizedtests.procon.org/

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/23/learning/should-colleges-consider-standardized-tests-in-admissions.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/17/opinion/standardized-tests.html?searchResultPosition=1

AI has impacted education in many ways. Affecting students and teachers differently. The Stanford University article highlights the support that AI provides for teachers. With AI there is real-time feedback and suggestion at the start of lessons, along with post-feedback afterward. Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, stated that AI could allow instructors informed about the latest advancements in their respective fields and keep the curriculum up to date. Benefiting students with the proper education, as teachers can offer practice scenarios for their learners. Education can be involved in designing AI-enabled tools to make their jobs better to engage and support students.

Many students can thrive with teachers, With AI, students can elevate the quality and quantity of their work. The Office of Education of Technology, states that AI can improve the feedback that is provided by teachers to students. AI also adapts to the student learning process, step by step, not just providing feedback on close-ended questions. Chen emphasizes that students can learn without the fear of judgment, boosting their self-confidence and receiving constructive feedback. Artificial intelligence can serve as a supplemental tutor or teaching assistant for those students in need. Additionally, AI can generate new forms of action needed to support students with disabilities. 

Although there are many unanswered questions still, where is the limit for new generation advancements? Claire Chen highlights that AI limits the teaching of soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving. If students aren’t able to develop their soft skills, they might struggle in their future careers. The advancement in technology can heighten the motivation crisis. Many students may no longer know what they should focus on or see the value in their skills since they can type in prompts and have a whole assignment done in minutes. Obtaining access to a tool that drafts responses in 30 seconds when it normally takes days for students to complete, will end up seeing the wrong side of the effort. It’s important to emphasize that taking the time to do assignments on your own can have a higher reward in the end.

There are also problems with AI. Some models aren’t made for student learning creating gaps in education. The gap will be shown through the lack of cultural diversity. AI generates text in languages that often fail to reflect the diversity of students served by the education system, failing to capture the authentic voice of the diverse populations. AI is made to mimic a human, yet the non-humanistic features come out ahead. Leading the students down the wrong path. This also plays a role with teachers. AI doesn’t have the human emotion or connection that human teachers have, limiting them in the field. The connection between teachers and students is vital, we saw this play out during COVID. During COVID we were on Zoom and there was a disturbance in education which was seen after we went back to the classroom. Although AI has many benefits we need to learn how to use it correctly. 

Sources:

https://hai.stanford.edu/news/ai-will-transform-teaching-and-learning-lets-get-it-right

https://tecah.ed.gov/ai/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/vickiphillips/2023/06/07/intelligent-classrooms-what-ai-means-for-the-future-of-education/?sh=284bdb21effb

The rising cost of college education has become a significant concern, posing financial challenges for students and their families. Over the years, tuition fees have surged, often outpacing the rate of inflation and wage growth. This escalating trend has led to increased student loan debt, creating a burden that many graduates carry well into their professional lives. The factors contributing to the soaring cost of education include administrative expenses, faculty salaries, and investments in campus facilities and technology. As a result, access to higher education has become a socioeconomic issue, with some individuals facing barriers to pursuing a college degree due to financial constraints. Efforts to address this issue often involve discussions on policy reforms, financial aid programs, and alternative education models to make higher education more affordable and accessible to a broader spectrum of students.

The escalating cost of college education is a multifaceted issue that warrants a closer examination of its underlying factors. One major contributor to rising tuition fees is the increasing administrative expenses within educational institutions. As universities expand their bureaucratic structures to meet compliance requirements, manage student services, and navigate complex regulatory landscapes, the associated costs are often passed on to students. Additionally, faculty salaries play a pivotal role in the overall cost structure. To attract and retain quality educators, universities need to offer competitive compensation, further contributing to the financial burden on students. Currently, professors in the California State system are on strike. Demanding an increase in their pay and benefits.

Furthermore, investments in campus facilities and technological advancements, while crucial for providing a conducive learning environment, also contribute to the rising cost. Modernizing infrastructure, incorporating cutting-edge technology, and maintaining state-of-the-art facilities come with substantial financial implications. While these investments aim to enhance the overall educational experience, they inadvertently contribute to the financial strain faced by students and their families.

The consequence of these escalating costs is the growing burden of student loan debt. Many students find themselves graduating with substantial loans, which can take years or even decades to repay. This debt can limit individuals’ financial flexibility, affecting major life decisions such as homeownership, starting a family, or pursuing advanced degrees.

The affordability and accessibility of higher education have become pressing socioeconomic issues. Students from lower-income backgrounds may find the cost of college prohibitive, limiting their ability to pursue higher education and potentially perpetuating cycles of inequality. Addressing the rising cost of education requires a comprehensive approach, involving policy reforms, increased financial aid, and exploration of alternative education models to ensure that the benefits of higher education are accessible to a diverse and inclusive student population.

Some schools aren’t adjusting for inflation which increases the burden for many students. From 2010 to 2022 there was a 9.24% increase in tuition at 4-year public universities. This may not seem like much but can be a problem that many students face especially since many are juggling class, extracurricular activities, and work. Currently, Penn State has also set a plan to increase tuition over the next two years with a 2% increase for in-state students.

Sources:

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/see-20-years-of-tuition-growth-at-national-universities

https://www.psu.edu/news/administration/story/board-approves-tuition-operating-budgets-through-2024-25/#:~:text=For%20the%202024%2D25%20academic,the%20same%20as%202023%2D24.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/16/investing/curious-consumer-college-cost/index.html

https://educationdata.org/college-tuition-inflation rate#:~:text=The%20average%20annual%20cost%20of,9.24%25%20from%202010%20to%202022.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/22/us/csu-california-faculty-strike.html