Psychological and pedagogical aspects of adaptation of freshmen in the conditions of a pandemic

Abstract

The article, based on the analysis of modern scientific works and own research, highlights the problem of adaptation first-year college students. It is established that in the conditions of distance learning due to the spread of COVID-19, the system of new interpersonal relationships is undergoing significant transformations. This problem has not yet been widely covered in modern research.  The purpose of this work was to identify and analyze some aspects of psychological adaptation of first-year students during the distance learning process and to develop strategies for psychological and pedagogical support. It is clarified the need to obtain and study information about new difficulties faced by freshmen and to organize their psychological and pedagogical support on their basis. It is revealed some psychological features of first-year students; it is described problems and difficulties that arisefor freshmen in the process of adaptation; it is shared the experience of working with freshmen to increase the level of their socio-psychological adaptation; it is highlighted the areas of work on successful socio-psychological adaptation of freshmen in terms of distance learning. The article presents a study of socio-psychological adaptation of freshmen in college in terms of distance learning, conducted on the basis of Zhytomyr basic pharmaceutical professional college and found that students have difficultyies with learning some disciplines and lack of live communication with teachers and classmates. In addition, the article presents the results of a survey of students, which allowed to determine the main trends of adaptation during the forced transition to distance education in a pandemic. It is established the main points of psychological adaptation with the identification of factors that contribute to them. It is presented ways to improve the adaptation of first-year students during this type of education in vocational education. This work is of interest to all higher education teachers who deal with the educational process with students, as well as for psychologists and various researchers who deal with mental health issues.