Emotional bandwidth narrows in era of Zoom fatigue

Zoom fatigue is a real thing. Quarantine fatigue – also real. In the aftermath of COVID-19, I guarantee new words and phrases will be added to dictionaries.

In my experience, I see it primarily in my students. The majority of college students nationwide are taking courses delivered in new technological ways – whether completely remote or a mixture: a hybrid or hyflex course. If students are participating regularly, their hours of class engagement on Zoom or other virtual platforms are increasing.

And it’s draining.

Staring at screens for hours, learning new technology in addition to complex material in coursework, panicking when that technology gives out.

Online courses in general require a greater level of discipline and responsibility – something that students often fail to recognize. The frustration rises, burn out increases and the engagement in coursework decreases.

It’s not only the students, though. Professors, instructors and teachers across the nation are reporting the same anxieties and disengagement. We all have a lack of bandwidth.

Just last week, I was marveling at the fact that I had an entire day scheduled without Zoom meetings. And, of course, later that day, a student requested a conference to discuss an upcoming assignment. Still, one Zoom meeting rather than three or four back-to-back is a much more pleasant experience.

By the end of these marathon weeks, I’m often exhausted. Over the weekend, I do my best to “unplug.” My phone usually stays in my bedroom, or up high, out of the way of tiny hands that seem to always be able to reach higher than the day previously. I tell my students to do the same. Get off your phones. Get off the computers. Try to set aside a large portion of time to be screen-free.

Does it help? I’m not sure. Between the care and flexibility that I give to my students to turn in assignments, to get caught up, to be more responsible, despite the online nature of the course, and my other pedagogical concerns, the level of exhaustion and anxiety is still overwhelming.

Fatigue is happening all around us. People are tired. They’re frustrated. And yet, we must continue.

The pandemic is still ongoing as we experience the so-called second wave, with higher cases being reported daily and hospitals once again reaching maximum capacity. It’s what we knew was coming – science predicted the second wave in the fall, in November. It’s why most colleges and universities opted against a fall break and mandated that students return home over Thanksgiving break, finishing the fall semester online.

Despite these challenges, I’m thankful. I have my health. My husband and children have their health, we have our jobs, and we’ve all had more time together as a family. It’s amazing to see how quickly time passes and, because I’m home, I’m able to witness those changes.

During a time in which very basic necessities are uncertain, giving thanks for the things that matter is important. And, perhaps, that thankfulness and gratitude is the most helpful antidote to the growing sense of fatigue surrounding us.

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