Fear of Academic Failure from Online Learning

A Saint Joseph’s University Junior discusses his fear of failing academically due to online learning. He believes that the relationship between students and administrators has been hindered due to virtual learning. More communication from university administrators about the plan going forward can encourage hope to those wrestling with online classes. 

Start Talking SJU is a social media impact campaign that encourages members of the Saint Joseph’s University community to engage each other by discussing difficult, yet important topics, that are vital for a healthy, open, inclusive campus. Our current topic is Living in Fear, Striving for Hope.

More videos like this one on the topic of Living in Fear, Striking for Hope in 2020 can be found at http://livinginfear.starttalkingsju.com. You can also see our prior campaigns: Attacked (http://attacked.starttalkingsju.com), Belonging (http://belonging.starttalking.com), and Mental Health (http://mentalhealth.starttalking.com).

This video was co-created with the person depicted and/or represented in a story read by another. All persons reviewed and signed consent forms granting permission to share this story online. 

If you are experiencing any personal or social effects due to fear on or off campus, the university has resources that can help, including:

The Office of Student Outreach and Support (https://sites.sju.edu/sos/); the SJU COVID website (https://www.sju.edu/hawk-hill-ready); if you are experiencing food insecurity, HawkHub (https://clubs.sju.edu/hawkhubclub); The Bias Activity Review Group, which connects to Public Safety (https://sites.sju.edu/oid/bias/); CAPS (610-660-1090); TitleIX titleIX@sju.edu; REPP (*confidential support) 610-733-9650 (24 hr. Peer Helpline); or SJU Public Safety 610-660-1111.

A complete transcript of the video reads as follows:

[I’m taking a Finance class right now. If I don’t pay attention right now, I’m really screwed for my next Finance class, cause it all carries over. I think one of the biggest fears I have is just like getting to the end goal, and getting to the end goal successfully. There’s a lack of relationship between students and faculty. For example, if you are completely online, your faculty member, like you’re taking a Finance class, your Finance teacher does not know who you are. Yeah, there’s just a lack of relationship. And I get I understand that with college it’s really in your court how you go with faculty and how you relate to faculty, but I do think COVID has really thrown a wrench in that. Do I think I will achieve my goals that I’ve set for myself through Zoom? That’s a tough question. What the administration can do to alleviate fear and go towards hope: more involvement, I’d like to see more of the administration, I’d like to see more from the Dean, more from the President. And it’s really weird, it’s like, I don’t necessarily know that I have the answers of what the faculty or administration should do. I feel like almost in a sense they should have the answers themselves, and the students should not be asking the questions of what the faculty should do. I don’t think they do have an answer to create hope. Like a said before, more communication with students, just showing more face, you know. I feel like, especially St. Joe’s that’s such a small campus, if we don’t see you, how can we expect that you’re doing our best interest and keeping our best interest at heart?]