The main topic of this master's thesis are the challenges students faced during the COVID-19 epidemic. The main focus of the theoretical part are the definitions of the infectious disease COVID-19, the measures that were established to prevent the spread of the disease, as well as the presentation of the socio-economical status of students in Slovenia and how it was impacted by the epidemic.
The research was qualitative, empirical and exploratory. The sample in my research consisted of ten students. It was nonprobability and convenience sampling. In the research, I gathered descriptions of the experiences and challenges students faced during the COVID-19 epidemic and how the epidemic, in their opinion, affected different areas of their lives. The key areas of my research were students education, work, financial and living situation, mental health, relationships and leisure.
Education has changed radically during epidemic, as it was conducted online. Students' satisfaction with education varied, as it was influenced by a number of circumstances. Most of the challenges that the students faced during their studies were linked to the organization and their perception of online education, as well as the lack of their motivation and increased workload. Work has significantly affected the socio-economical status of students during epidemic. Many students lost their jobs, furthermore the amount of work had majorly decreased. Due to the reduced demand of student work, many found themselves in financial distress, Research shows that most of them sought financial help from their parents, some mitigated their financial distress with state scholarship. At the time of the epidemic, a solidarity allowance was available to students, but it was insufficient. Epidemic also affected the living situation of students. Most students lived with their parents during the epidemic. Some of them had lived with them before, while others had to move back home at the beginning of the epidemic due to the inability to cover the cost of expenses and due to the precarious living conditions. Some of the students' living conditions were inadequate. The research shows that these students wanted more peace and privacy,, as well as more living space. The epidemic also affected students' leisure time, as their time was very limited due to the COVID-19 measures. Many had more free time, which they spent with their families at home and in the nature. Some occupied themselves with activities that make them happy. Last but not least, the epidemic also affected students' interpersonal relationships, as they had to maintain contact with others only at distance. But many were dissatisfied with contacts during the epidemic, as they lacked personal contact due to superficial, uninteresting and monotonous conversations, which could not be replaced by long-distance communication. Lastly, these changes in various areas of life also had a significant impact on the mental health of students, as their well-being deteriorated during the epidemic.
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