COVID-19 AND ITS IMPACTS ON THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY OF BS STUDENTS AT ISLAMIA COLLEGE PESHAWAR
Keywords:
COVID-19, Psychological, Social Isolation, Uncertainty, Stigma, Students, EpidemicAbstract
Covid-19 has hit nearly each country. Its socio-economic consequences are unprecedented and so are its psychological impacts. This article examines how COVID is taking its toll on the mental health of university students. Sixty (60) male students of BS degree program at Islamia College, were randomly selected, and their responses to an open ended questionnaire were collected via WhatsApp considering the prevailing situations. The data was then subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the students experienced psychological panic in the existing conditions. They were worried about the job security of their earning members, uncertain academic journey, e-learning---internet availability, poor IT skills, unfamiliarity with and lack of affordability of new mode of pedagogy etc. Their fears regarding contracting the virus themselves, or by some of their family members and the stigma associated to the illness, and the treatment meted out to the diseased were like sword of Damocles hanging over them. It is suggested that psychological health matters must not be ignored by policy makers. Arranging online classes in effective and feasible ways, the assurance of job security of the earning members, and overcoming stigmatization phenomenon, in such a crisis, would lessen students’ psychological burden. Also, a number of guiding principles are given to be observed in a situation like COVID.
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