Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
Students starting or having started their college lives are up for an exciting and intriguing era in higher education. Many of the trends that affect this era had started taking root before the advent of the pandemic, which, in itself, has had a unique influence on college trends and learning modes. The accelerated process of digitalization, the impact of which is felt far and wide, is a clear example.
In this article, we take a closer look at the key 5 college trends that will dominate the academic year of 2022/2023. Go through them carefully not to be taken by surprise when you find yourself directly or indirectly affected.
Competency-Based Education
This is a relatively new and interesting approach to designing and delivering college-level education. The concept takes into consideration how students learn and what it is that they are left with toward the end of their college program. The approach is designed to tailor the learning process to the students’ varying styles, speeds, and modes of learning.
It is based on the premise that skills are sometimes more important than factual knowledge. In the internet era, access to information is no longer a significant issue. What often matters more is the way in which students analyze information or use their writing skills or their research capacity.
Hybrid modes of learning
Distance learning had been practiced long before the pandemic hit the world and our classrooms. But COVID-19 made the need for alternative modes of learning as pronounced as ever before. Many students opt for online courses and programs. This is particularly convenient for those who cannot travel or move out of their countries.
Many students give themselves greater flexibility by combining classroom-based and online courses. Whatever the combination, your workload is unlikely to diminish, as there will always be a need to write essays or term papers. When it gets too much to cope with, don’t hesitate to use the reliable services of IHateWriting to get your assignments completed on time and to the highest academic standards.
Dropouts
This is an interesting trend, and it is likely to become more evident in 2022/2023. Many college students decide to quit their college studies to start professional careers. Their thinking is that it is not worth dedicating 3 or 4 years to college studies when you can effectively use this time to build professional knowledge and skills through practical experience.
By the time you graduate, the knowledge you got might be outdated, and your competitors in the labor market might be better skilled and experienced to compete for well-paid jobs by virtue of their practical experience and skills.
Internationalization
We’ll see a greater internalization of global education at all levels. It may no longer suffice to speak English well. If you want to end up working in a foreign country, now is the time to start learning a second language and learning more about foreign cultures.
With international travel made easier with lots of travel options and accommodation opportunities, students will continue traversing the world. That’s a good thing for them and for the world!
Funding
Many experts predict an increase in tuition costs across the world. This can be partly explained by an influx of international students with an inevitable increase in demand. Luckily, the number of scholarship opportunities and financial aid options is also likely to be larger than before.
Final Thoughts
In 2022/2023, we’ll see some interesting college trends unfold. With a greater focus on learning styles and skills, colleges will continue attracting more international students. They will also offer a combination of classroom-based and online programs to accommodate their needs. While education is becoming more expensive, students will have more scholarship options to support their studies.
***
Andrew Mazur is a popular blogger, researcher, and educator. He tracks current trends in secondary and tertiary education in the United States and across the world. Andrew enjoys posting the results of his research and sharing his experiences assessing the pros and cons of college programs, scholarship opportunities, and student exchange programs.