Navigating the Pandemic: College Students' Autonomous Motivation and Harmful Learning Strategies Throughout Pandemic

• In Event: College Student Behavior, Engagement, and Outcomes

Abstract

As higher education in the U.S. approaches a post-Covid-19 pandemic era, the trajectory of college students’ academic experience remains unclear. The study investigated college students’ autonomous motivation before, during, after the Covid-19 pandemic, and how such experience may differ between lowerclassman and upperclassman. Results showed that while the effect of time on motivation was not significant, upperclassman reported higher motivation before and during the pandemic. Using qualitative data, we found five different harmful learning strategies students were using during the Covid-19 pandemic: (a) passive learning, (b) avoidant learning, (c) procrastination, (d) academic dishonesty, and (e) minimum effort. Implications for academic support, classroom practices and future research are discussed.

Author

• Caleb Wang Yuan, University of Arizona