COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on University Student Experiences

This project investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students, focusing on their perceptions, experiences, and the challenges they faced. The research aims to understand how the pandemic affected students' mental health, academic performance, and social lives, including the transition to online learning and the implementation of safety measures. The study explores the challenges and responses of students, universities, and educators, analyzing the effects on academic study, social interactions, and overall well-being. The literature review covers various aspects, including the impact of e-learning, mental health concerns, and the adaptations made by educational institutions. The project employs qualitative methods to gather data, likely through surveys and thematic analysis to understand the perspectives of students and universities. The findings aim to offer insights into the pandemic's effects and suggest recommendations for supporting students during similar crises.

Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Background of study...............................................................................................................3
Research Aim.........................................................................................................................4
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................4
Research Questions................................................................................................................4
Rational of research................................................................................................................4
Literature review..............................................................................................................................5
Research Methodology.........................................................................................................10
Participants...........................................................................................................................10
Data-collection.....................................................................................................................10
Thematic analysis.................................................................................................................11
Analytical Process................................................................................................................12
Reliability and validity.........................................................................................................12
Results..................................................................................................................................12
Discussion......................................................................................................................................13
Limitations to manage research............................................................................................13
Recommendation...........................................................................................................................13
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Background of study
Coronavirus formulate major pandemic conditions among all over the world. Adults and
children almost all section of society is impacted and it directly effect on health of individuals. It
results all individuals face a major problem because all sectors and organisation are closed and
due to this learning, economic, market conditions, health as well as other factors are impacted.
Research is focused to understand about the perception of students and experience that is
impacted due to Covid-19. Moreover, radical changes are monitored among all over the world
and this include different terms such as self-isolation, social distancing etc. Most of them are
new for all individuals (Hakami and et. al., 2020) . Social identity approach address all aspects
through which change among community is implemented to indeterminate action of individuals
for implement of individuals toward assist of Covid-19. Students analyse different opportunity to
explain about feelings and concern related with University such as to take online class. Further,
research aim and objective will also design to analyse student perception about learning factor.
Data-collection is another importance for understand of organisation guidelines to understand
about development of Covid-19 situation. Data-collection will also study about qualitative
survey conducted to participants for analysis of information. This research is based on the issues
related to human mental problems that generally occur within young adults. In this treatments are
also available but due to COVID 19 impact these issues occur highly and also person cannot get
the treatment on time.
Research is consistent to show about help-seeking about behaviour of male, comparison about
female, for health-related seeking behaviour with a particular focus on making access available
by understand about highlight trend of help-seeking to inadequacy about organisational goals
(Ma and Miller, 2020). This also suggest to generate mental health aspects through which
information is highlighted for seeking behaviour of persons for enhancing about socio-
economical background of individuals due to which attaching among person make suffer
individuals at both level whether, it is social or personal.

Research Aim
The main aim of this particular project is “To understand about University and students’
perception and experience related with Covid-19 pandemic. A research on behaviour of
individuals.”
Research Objectives
The objectives associated with this research study project are provided below:
 To understand about perspective of University students and experience related with
Covid-19.
 To manage challenge and response that is faced by University students at the time of
pandemic conditions.
 To attend and improve academic study by understanding about safety factors related with
health of individuals.
Research Questions
The key questions associated with this study are provided below:
 What do you understand about perspective of University students and experience related
with Covid-19?
 What are the ways to manage challenge and response that is faced by University students
at the time of pandemic conditions?
 How to attend and improve academic study by understanding about safety factors related
with health of individuals?
Rational of research
Pandemic conditions generate a direct impact on the higher education perspective that
aids to conduct survey about education. So researcher conduct survey with utilise of qualitative
research methods to understand about public institutions that is designed for recover from casual
impact of pandemic students. Current and expected outcomes of Coronavirus impacts on overall
health of individuals and within a class lot of students learn different factors at a same place. But
according to guidelines of government this is important for university and students to follow
social distance which is a major change for students (Kujawa and et. al., 2020). Online class is
another amendment that create issue for students as now they learn and study chapter within a
digital form. Further, global crisis generates pandemic conditions, it results all individuals among

academic and other fields face uncertainty among future as change in daily activity are impacted.
So the possibility reduce the impact related with outcomes and it aids to identify about different
requirements that quickly aids students to understand about person need and concern.
This research study is highly significant as it helps in understanding the perspective of
University students as well as their experience associated with spread of covid-19 pandemic in
an effective way. It also assists researcher in in determining the ways that help in managing the
challenges associated with covid-19 pandemic faced by University students. Moreover, this
study contributes in ascertaining the behaviour of students during the pandemic condition and the
ways to improve academic study by having understanding regarding safety factors associated
with health of people. Apart from this, this study not only effective in ascertaining the behaviour
of students, but is also useful for academic purpose as it acts as base for other scholars to carry
on further study on the similar topic.
Literature review
Literature review is defined as review of scholarly articles, journals and books associated
with particular topic or the question of research. It is written as a thesis, research paper or
dissertation part in order to situated the work of researcher in relation to current knowledge. It is
a search and evaluation of available literature on the given subject area. In the research study,
literature review is significant part where the view point of different authors is compared and
their reviews are presented on the particular topic in chosen study. The viewpoints are presented
based on different themes which is provided below:
To understand about perspective of University students and experience related with Covid-19.
According to the Arfan Shahzad, 2021, study-portal i.e. e-learning portals perform an
important role for students and they are used to understand about needs and concerns related
with programmes. It determine that students learn all factors from their portal and this also aids
persons to engage among all studies aspects and it make possibilities for individuals to fund their
study. Along with crisis unfold; transparent information become crucial aspect and it define
about a list of measure and topics that communicate students for performing their role in an
appropriate manner. There is different concern are monitored and it define about all those
measure through which university and institution that is based on pandemic generate complex
factors to identify all those aspect that generate safe environment among individuals. Hygiene
related measure create complexity and it define about all those aspects such as social-distancing,

improvement in behaviour of officials and develop availability of health personnel that support
international students to receive and understand information related with authorities of
individuals. With clarify about all steps this is easy to ensure about continuation of academic
programmes that enrol scholarship and other important factors that increase quality of students
for performing their work in an organised manner. This also enable students for generating better
details related with programmes that is offered online to individuals. It also enable person to
perform work with practical course and internship as it leads persons to earn more credits by
completing their task by implement of motivational techniques.
The spread of covid-19 virus has had sudden and profound impact on various areas of
life. The educational processes are also affected by these changes in informal and formal
learning environment. The Institutions like universities, schools, child care settings and
education providers moved to distance learning and ceased onsite teaching - or completely
closed down. In the similar way, the institutions which are offering cultural and sports activities
had also shut down. Quick adjustments are required because of sudden lockdown on the behalf
of stakeholders as well as teaching and learning settings transforms substantially. In the absence
of vaccine or cure, fundamental transformations to day to day reality of learning and teaching
have been seen. These transformations have taken a toll on families, schools and society in
general. The educators have had to switch from traditional learning to different forms of distant
education. This has needed adopting new strategies in education for digital teaching is an
emerging phenomenon in various educational settings. More self-motivation and self-regulation
may have required by the students due to absence of structured in class learning.
Moreover, some Nations have moved to open the education institutions again while
trying to follow the guidelines associated with covid-19 and trying to maintain social distance.
Various changes in educational settings have experienced by students and teachers within a short
tenure. The pandemic has affected the learning and teaching from various perspectives across
distinct institutions. The spread of pandemic has developed the sense of stress and threat among
students and teachers which has surged globally. New challenges were confronted by the
students including mental health issues, stress related issues etc. Due to distractions, they were
not able to focus on their studies. Apart from this, because of closure of educational institutions,
students required to stay at home and learn which has had a huge impact on the practices of
higher education students about academic life and work like switch to online tutorials, changed

communication channels for teachers, close libraries, administrative support, different
performance levels and workloads etc. Their social life is also transformed for instance, no
meeting with friends, no travelling, no parties, remaining trapped abroad etc.
Apart from this, future education and career, loss of student job etc. are included in the
personal financial situation which was also highly impacted by the spread of pandemic. In
addition to this, the emotional health of students was also affected adversely which results into
frustration, boredom, anxiety, anger and fear. However, on the top of various challenges, covid-
19 pandemic has led to more positive changes in mind-sets and habits, like paying attention to
personal hygiene, take care of themselves as well as others, spend time to do sports etc. The
perspectives of University students and teachers and their experiences related to covid-19
changed in drastic way. As per the view point of Lucie Weissova, Giorgio Marinoni and Joana
Ribau Leite, (2020), the mental health of university students was adversely influenced through
anxiety and uncertainty they were facing in their day-to-day lives. It has been found from a
survey that around 85% of higher educational institutions and students agree that on campus
education has been totally or partially replaced through online learning (Students: the missing
perspective on the COVID experience, 2020).
To manage challenge and response that is faced by University students at the time of pandemic
conditions
With understand the context of.., Students, educator and university face a unique set of
challenges at the time of Covid-19 that impact on programmes and educational fields. The
government enforce and implement a lock-down related on essential and non-essential activities
of products that take place in country including education. Although it also results that closure of
educational institution create problems of international students because they face financial risk
aspects as lock-down on all activities create issue to earn from their part time-job. Similarly,
University face complexity to maintain quality standards of education. It is because teacher and
university aids students to perform their work in proper manner and this define about analyse of
different factors that teaching problems generate complexity to manage work in a disciplined
manner. Like, now tutor teach and explain information through digital platform so students face
issue as unnecessary noise, poor internet connection etc. generate problems for students to learn
about chapter. Another challenge, that is related with cessation and suspension generate problem
to deliver high and better education and this is because management face inability to reward

credit and qualifications. The alternative study option creates problems and it define about
specific study that notified individuals to perform work with higher education. This aids persons
to manage all work by providing report to individuals for overcome from circumstances that
deliver education that improve number of online teaching method.
In the higher educational institutions, the online shift seems to working well, it remains to
be seen the way quality of learning be affected through shift from on site to online teaching and
learning, especially when the situation transforms from the management of crisis to new
academic year. The students everywhere faced challenges. The absence of social connectivity
and human interaction is one of the challenge that students face. Social environment and face to
face interaction provide students with the opportunity to interact with others and sustain
friendship which contribute to their well-being and welfare. Through virtual mode, students find
it challenging to maintain social interaction. Apart from this, the temptations of virtual
distractions are the another challenge. The novelty of being online connected can distract
students through prompting them to access another website while attending online classes. It also
impacts on the health of children as they spend number of hours on screen. Such extended screen
time hours can outcomes in different physical issues like bad posture, frequent headaches and
eye strain. In order to mitigate these challenges, virtual services are performed in small groups of
6 - 7 students so that there is more engagement, greater participation and deeper learning from
students. It also provides teachers with an opportunity to monitor students and understand the
challenges which they may facing. the social emotional learning curriculum of University which
emphasizes on promoting the wellbeing of students actively encourage them to talk regarding
themselves as they come to terms with post covid19 world.
In the higher educational institutions, the online shift seems to working well, it remains to
be seen the way quality of learning be affected through shift from on site to online teaching and
learning, especially when the situation transforms from the management of crisis to new
academic year. The students everywhere faced challenges. The absence of social connectivity
and human interaction is one of the challenge that students face. Social environment and face to
face interaction provide students with the opportunity to interact with others and sustain
friendship which contribute to their well-being and welfare. Through virtual mode, students find
it challenging to maintain social interaction. Apart from this, the temptations of virtual
distractions are the another challenge. The novelty of being online connected can distract

students through prompting them to access another website while attending online classes. It also
impacts on the health of children as they spend number of hours on screen. Such extended screen
time hours can outcomes in different physical issues like bad posture, frequent headaches and
eye strain. In order to mitigate these challenges, virtual services are performed in small groups of
6 - 7 students so that there is more engagement, greater participation and deeper learning from
students. It also provides teachers with an opportunity to monitor students and understand the
challenges which they may facing. the social emotional learning curriculum of University which
emphasizes on promoting the wellbeing of students actively encourage them to talk regarding
themselves as they come to terms with post covid19 world.
To attend and improve academic study by understanding about safety factors related with health
of individuals.
With analysis of Cathy Li, 2020, Covid-19 result that school are shut down across all
over the world. During unpredicted time, it is understand student bound themselves in home for a
week and month. This define things are done in different manner even studying and their idea
impact on everything that aids persons to generate end about everything. Along with this it is
also analysed this is easy for individuals to maintain social distancing and it results this is easy to
escape and distract about study factors. Online study is preferred by students and according to
this avoid distraction from use of mobile phone and laptops work as a problem. There are
different task performed by management and this aids persons to learn about all concepts that
aids to like and study about all factors such as to improve concentrate power aids individuals for
performing and enhancing study factors for minimise unnecessary disturbance.
In order to decline the spread of covid-19 pandemic, the universities all around the world
move speedily to transfer different courses from offline to online with electronic learning,
thereby becoming a mandatory learning and teaching process of educational organisations. It is
not about simply putting the materials of learning online, but the lecturers should organise the
content as well as learning methods as per the new delivery mode so that University students do
not feel alone and isolated in the process of learning. Thus, adequate skills and knowledge of
lecturers and ICT equipment should be ensured. As for the survey performed, the students were
asked regarding their attitudes to distant online forms of learning and teaching, involving their
satisfaction with institution as well as support after the onsite classes cancellation because of
physical closure of higher education institution. It has been reported by around 86.7 % students

at global level that onsite classes have been cancelled because of covid-19 pandemic. There are
various forms of online lectures developed among which the most dominant form were real time
video conferences followed through asynchronous forms: video recording, sending presentation
to students and written communication utilising chats and forums. Among these, the rarest form
of online lectures was audio recording. At global level, most of the students were satisfied with
real-time video conferences follow through sending presentations, written communication and
video recording whereas, they were least satisfied audio recording.
The universities cancelled onsite classes and moved their pedagogical processes to digital
media. the students from the remote, rural and undeveloped areas had issues with poor
connectivity of internet or lack of electricity. Apart from this, these people hold negative attitude
towards online mode of teaching and learning. Studying from home requires greater motivation
and self-discipline from students to follow by online lessons, specifically in earlier period when
the University students are getting utilised to new systems that might influence their feelings of a
rise in study obligations. Other than this, the lecturers unfamiliar with new delivery mode could
overload students with assignments and study materials. It has been reported from less than one
third students that workload had become smaller, although the student share with similar
workload was even lower. However, big proportion of students reported that it had become
significantly larger.
Research Methodology
The current information and data which is collected by respondents generate longer
results by identify of organisation structure. This also define about company structure and it
make response towards development of random sample and it aids persons for analyse of
attaching factors the recruit participants for examine individual attitude that seek behaviour of
individuals for recruiting persons and participants to improve mental health of individuals
(Gómez-Ibáñez and et. al., 2020). Data collection is participants perform an important role for
study about organisational results. Qualitative research is conducted and it defines about
perception area that record about mental health of persons to participate and use about different
quotation for improving interview results. In this investigator adopts the use of open ended
questions by which persons identify and attain about success factors and it aids persons to seek
and understand about behaviour of participants.

Participants
The participants of the study are undergraduate students of university from CU. In order to
perform the survey and collect qualitative data, 30 respondents are selected who are university
students. The participants are selected by using sampling method which is the process of
selecting sample size from large population. There are two methods that researcher can use for
selecting sample size involving probability sampling method and non-probability method of
sampling. In the probability sampling method, the probability of each individual of being
selected is equal. On the other hand, the chances of getting selected are not equal in non-
probability sampling method. In this particular study, the investigator makes use of probability
sampling method. In this method, random sampling type is used in which the University students
are selected randomly. The key reason behind using this sampling method is that it assists in
reducing biasness at the time of selecting sample so that accuracy and reliability of data can be
maintained.
Data-collection
Data collection is referred as a procedure of gathering data, measuring and analysing
insights for study utilising validated methods. The hypothesis can be evaluated by researcher on
the basis of gathered data. In the research study, data collection is most important and primary
step and the approach is different for distinct study area, relying on required information. There
are two methods through which data can be gathered including primary and secondary method of
collection of data. In the primary method, fresh and first hand data is collected which is never
collected before by other people. This data can be collected by using survey method, interview
method or any other method like phone, mail etc. On the other hand, secondary data is the
second hand data which is already gathered before by other people. It can be collected by using
online sources, books, journals, articles, previously published records etc. In relation to this
particular investigation, both methods of data collection are used in which the primary data is
collected through structured interview and the second data is gathered through using books,
articles and journals. In this research study, in-person interviews are conducted in which some
questions are asked to them in relation to the research study area. Using both the methods
provides an opportunity to researcher to get ample amount of information so that accurate,
reliable and valid outcomes of study can be drawn by the investigator. The primary data is
collected through semi structured interviews in which 5 open ended questions are developed and

used which provides the participant an opportunity to discuss each question and provide different
interpretations and opinions. The questionnaire performing semi structured interview is as
follows:
Questionnaire
Q 1) What is your perspective and experience associated with covid 19 pandemic?
Q 2) According to you, what are the challenges that University and students faced during the
situation of spread of covid-19 pandemic?
Q 3) What are the preventive and control measures developed and put in place by universities to
protect students from spread of infection during the situation of pandemic?
Q 4) As per your opinion, how the health of students impacted during covid 19 crisis and
lockdown?
Q 5) About the utilization of technology in education, are there any specific technologies that
you feel excited about?
Thematic analysis
Thematic analysis can be stated as a method of analysing the data which is qualitative in
nature. It is applied to set of texts like interview transcripts. The data is closely examined by
researcher in order to determine common themes - ideas, topics and patterns that come up
repeatedly. In order to conduct thematic analysis, there are various approaches but the most
common form of approach follow 6 step process including familiarisation, coding, developing
themes, reviewing them, defining and naming themes and writing up. it is a good approach in
which the researcher is trying to find out the knowledge, experiences, views and opinions of
people from set of qualitative data. In this study, thematic analysis is performed in which of the
responses of respondents are provided regarding to the question. There are different approaches
to thematic analysis including inductive and deductive approach. Inductive approach includes
allowing data to ascertain themes and the deductive approach includes coming to data with
preconceived themes. As it is a qualitative research study, it makes use of inductive approach to
thematic analysis.