Challenges confronting students during Covid-19: Insights from social workers at a university of technology

Abstract

University students were regarded as a vulnerable population as they not only had to endure significant levels of mental health problems and financial distress, but also academic challenges in the transition to online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence, the tumultuous nature of the pandemic and consequent sheltering as well as other disruptions placed an enormous burden on students. Using qualitative research methodologies, this study sought to explore the challenges faced by students through the lens of social work interns who were placed at a university of technology during the pandemic. Using purposive sampling to recruit the practitioners, the study explored what support measures were necessary to enhance the well-being of students during the pandemic. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study found that students encountered an array of psychological problems, together with experiences of stigma and isolation whilst in quarantine, which led the sample to call for the reconstruction of the university space into a more supportive one.