The graduating high school class of 2023 faced an unprecedented school experience from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new report from ACT, the organization that administers the college admissions exam of the same name, detailed how the most recently graduated high schoolers plan to change their college and career plans due to the effects of their pandemic schooling.
ACT surveyed a random sample of over 1500 12th grade students. Most graduating seniors experienced some of high school before the pandemic, but lived through restrictions and changes to learning for the majority of their time.
More than 40 percent of all surveyed students said that the pandemic affected at least one aspect of their post graduation plans. Over 30 percent shared that their thoughts about their future career shifted.
The report found that the financial burden of post secondary education weighed the heaviest on some students, which caused them to reconsider where they would apply to or whether to attend college at all.
“The strain of finances through the pandemic made me more focused on colleges that may be less expensive or meet 100% financial aid,” shared one surveyed student.
A lack of comprehensive learning in high school, paired with a lack of motivation with online school, had students questioning their collegiate preparedness. Increased mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, contributed as well. Students also questioned certain career goals they had that were heavily affected by the pandemic, such as health care workers and roles in education.
“My dream job since I was a kid was to be a nurse,” said one student. “Seeing how healthcare workers were treated during the pandemic really broke my spirit.”
The findings of the report varied across demographics. A larger percentage of low-income students, with family income less than or equal to $36,000, reported changes to career or college plans compared to their higher income peers. Latinx, Asian and Black students were also more likely to have their career or college plans altered than their white counterparts.
The class of 2023 faced its share of challenges, but the report also found that students used their additional free time during remote learning to create new opportunities for themselves. Students discovered new interests and passions, had more time for self-reflection on how to approach their futures, and shifted priorities.
“I realized that there are more important things in life than just a college name,” wrote one student. “The pandemic made me realize that life is too short and too unexpected to be cutting time out of your family.”
ACT says colleges should prepare to bring in this new class of students that carry a unique set of circumstances by assisting in their challenges. Financial assistance, programs to aid in academic performance, mental health resources and exploratory courses can all help support students’ transition, according to the report.
“These are the…students who faced numerous new challenges,” ACT CEO Janet Goodwin said in a statement. “It’s important to recognize their unique journeys and how the pandemic’s disruption has affected them— emotionally, academically, and financially— as they make important decisions about the first steps of their lives beyond high school.”
