Today’s students have grown up in a world defined by uncertainty and rapid change — from the rise of AI to the aftermath of the pandemic and growing awareness of mental health and equity. For instructors, that means the old assumptions about what motivates or engages students no longer hold true.
So, what do students really want from their learning experience in 2025 and beyond? The answer isn’t as simple as “more technology.” It’s about connection, purpose, and flexibility.
1. Purpose Over Performance
More than ever, students want their education to mean something. They’re no longer content with rote memorization or one-off assignments that end when the semester does. They want to see how what they’re learning connects to the world around them — and to their future careers.
Recent research shows that 80% of Gen Z students view college as a critical step toward building meaningful, skill-based careers rather than just earning credentials.
This shift challenges educators to rethink assessment and course design. Students want projects that mirror real-world problem-solving: case studies, simulations, collaborative research, and portfolios that show growth. It’s no longer enough to ask, “Did they learn it?” The question now is, “Can they apply it?”
2. Flexibility Is Non-Negotiable
After years of remote and hybrid learning, students expect flexibility — and not just in scheduling. Many want agency in how they learn and demonstrate mastery.
This generation balances work, family responsibilities, and mental health challenges in ways that make traditional “seat-time” models feel outdated. Hybrid courses, asynchronous assessments, classroom accommodations, and clear communication are now baseline expectations.
Flexibility isn’t about lowering standards; it’s about designing for inclusivity. As many universities move toward hybrid models, the goal should be to create assessments that are fair and consistent for both in-person and online students. That could mean designing digital workflows that mimic in-class exams or allowing paper submissions to be uploaded and graded digitally — blending accessibility with academic rigor.
3. Feedback That Feels Human
Grades may measure performance, but feedback drives growth — and students know it.
A recent study found that student motivation drops sharply when feedback is delayed beyond 10 days. Feedback that’s timely, specific, and personal helps students reflect and improve. Conversely, when feedback is sparse or generic, it can be seen as a judgment rather than a learning tool.
Today’s students expect a level of responsiveness that mirrors the technology they use daily. Waiting weeks for graded work feels archaic. Platforms that facilitate real-time commenting and transparent grading — while still preserving instructor boundaries — are key to making students feel seen and supported.
4. Mental Health and Empathy Matter
Perhaps the biggest change of all: students now expect empathy from their institutions.
A national study of Canadian postsecondary students found that over 83% reported anxiety, 86% reported depression, and 81% reported loneliness. Another report by Universities Canada revealed that 90% of students felt overwhelmed by their responsibilities and 70% said their mental health had negatively affected their academic performance.
Students aren’t asking for less rigor — they’re asking for compassion. Flexible deadlines, open communication, and acknowledgment of stress can make a measurable difference in both performance and retention.
Empathy doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as explaining the purpose behind an assignment, checking in mid-semester to see how students are coping, and connecting them with on-campus mental health support when needed. When educators lead with understanding, students respond with engagement.
5. Tech-Savvy, But Human-Centered
Despite assumptions that Gen Z students want everything digitized, research shows they can still crave human connection in learning. Technology enhances accessibility and convenience, but it can’t replace mentorship, discussion, or collaboration.
Hybrid teaching models that integrate discussion forums, peer review, or in-class collaboration — while using digital tools for efficiency — strike the right balance. Students are seeking classrooms that use tech intentionally, not automatically.
And as AI tools become commonplace, the goal isn’t to eliminate them but to teach students how to use them critically and ethically. That’s where educators have a powerful opportunity: to guide digital natives into becoming digital thinkers.
Crowdmark’s own approach to AI reflects this philosophy — using automation not to replace instructors, but to amplify their impact. Features like AI-assisted matching and grading insights help reduce repetitive work, freeing educators to focus on what technology can’t replicate: meaningful feedback, mentorship, and connection.
6. The Future of the Student Experience
The higher-education landscape is shifting from content delivery to experience design. Students are no longer passive consumers of information — they’re co-creators of their education.
They want to:
- Learn skills that matter beyond the classroom
- Receive feedback that fuels progress
- Feel supported as whole people, not just students
- Engage with instructors who see them as partners in learning
In short, they want education that’s flexible, empathetic, and purpose-driven.
Final Thought
The next generation of learners is redefining success. They care less about grades and more about growth. Less about attendance, more about belonging. And less about earning a diploma, more about earning a sense of purpose.
For educators, the challenge — and opportunity — lies in listening. Because when we understand what students really want from their learning experience, we can design courses, assessments, and feedback that help them thrive — both inside and beyond the classroom.