Understanding the post-covid-19 student landscape – have we adapted?

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly reshaped the higher educational landscape. As we transition into the post-pandemic world, understanding its impact on students and adapting to their evolving needs is crucial. Our research across three London institutions, reveals distinct commuting patterns, with more evidence of students living at home and facing longer commuters to university since the pandemic, amid rising transport costs. Class scheduling has adapted little to student preferences with key reasons for absenteeism remaining single events timetabled on a day and the need for a later start (e.g. 10.00). Our data highlights the need to understand the impact on attendance when students perceive they are failing behind in their studies, and decisions influenced by class quality and social interactions. Additionally, many students reported non-engagement due to fatigue or physically or mentally illness. Ultimately, we
reflect on how we can truly adapt to student preferences and address reasons for non-engagement/absenteeism.