Assessing the Effects of Covid – 19 Pandemic on Academic Advising: Challenges, Strategies, and Results at Kepler College, Kigali

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic support services, particularly academic advising for students, has been significant. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the academic advising landscape at Kepler College before and during the pandemic, highlighting challenges faced, approaches utilized, and outcomes observed. Through a combination of focus group discussions and surveys involving both students and academic advisors, this research synthesizes insights from their experiences. The study reveals that despite the disruptive effects of the pandemic, the support provided by academic advisors played a crucial role in enabling students to navigate academic challenges and sustain their academic progress. Furthermore, the pandemic context prompted students to enhance their adaptability and sense of responsibility towards their learning journey. The study also underscored the importance of holistic support approaches by academic advisors to address students' diverse needs effectively. Findings of this study emphasize the necessity for collaboration among higher education institutions to share best practices and strategies for supporting students, especially during emergency situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. By fostering a collaborative environment and sharing experiences, institutions can better adapt to unforeseen challenges and ensure continued provision of quality academic support to students in times of crisis.