Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic on Selected Rural University Students’ Emotional Lives: A South African Perspective from a Global Study

Abstract

The emotional lives of students are paramount in that it influences their learning abilities as well as their academic performance. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have affected the emotional lives of students, especially those in rural areas. This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the emotional lives of students in a selected rural university in South Africa. A quantitative research approach was adopted whereby questionnaires were used to collect data from 274 undergraduate students who were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and themes. The study findings indicate that many of the students are no longer as joyful and hopeful as they used to be because they are not in touch with their fellow students nor with their lecturers. Students are frustrated, with rising degrees of anger and anxiety. The study recommends, amongst other things, the need for the services of counsellors to be engaged at the rural university so that students can receive counselling regarding these problems.