Mexican University Students: The Best and Worst of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused radical changes in diverse human activities. Among the most affected: education. The objective of the present study is to explore the perceptions of the best and the worst that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in college students of the Faculty of Psychology at UNAM. To achieve this, a qualitative research was carried out through an exploratory opinion poll. The sample was composed of 80 undergraduates and graduate students, collecting a total of 271 responses.

The postponement of personal, academic, and professional plans, the onset of negative emotions such as anger, irritability, and sadness, as well as an increase of stress, anxiety, and depression, were the most frequent topics reported by students as the worst that the pandemic brought. On the other hand, spending more time with their families, and a rise of self-care behaviors, such as better nutrition, sleep, and physical exercise were reported as the best experiences regarding the pandemic. It is essential to know the struggles of college students to cope with radical changes that they go through in the diverse spheres of their life, during this public health crisis since it has an impact on their education.

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