Lessons from zoom-university: Post-secondary student consequences and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic-A focus group study.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered the model of university education. However, the most salient challenges associated with online learning, how university students are coping with these challenges, and the impact these changes have had on students' communities of learning remain relatively unexplored. Changes to the learning environment have also disrupted existing communities of learning for both lower and upper-year students. Hence, the purpose of our study was to explore how: (1) academic and personal/interpersonal challenges as a result of COVID-19; (2) formal and informal strategies used to cope with these academic and non-academic challenges; (3) and services or resources provided by the institution, if any, affected students' communities of learning. Six focus groups of 5-6 students were conducted, with two focus groups specifically dedicated to upper and lower year students. Questions related to academic and interpersonal challenges, formal and informal coping strategies, and access to/use of university services/resources were posed. Common challenges included poor accommodation from professors and administrators; burnout from little separation school and personal life; lack of support for students transitioning out of university; and difficulties forming and maintaining social networks. These findings suggest the importance of fostering communities of learning informally and formally at universities beyond the pandemic context.

Comparing the prevalence of nomophobia and smartphone addiction among university students pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to: (a) explore differences in the prevalence of nomophobia and smartphone addiction (SA) from pre- to during COVID-19; (b) identify students' self-reported changes in smartphone reliance and screen time during COVID-19; and (c) examine whether self-perceived changes in smartphone usage predicted nomophobia and SA scores. METHODS: Scores on the Nomophobia Questionnaire and Smartphone Addiction Scale between two surveys administered at two timepoints were compared: Sample 1 (September 2019-January 2020; N = 878) and Sample 2 (May-June 2020; N = 258). RESULTS: No significant differences were found between samples on nomophobia or SA. Nearly all of Sample 2 reported using some type of app more, using their smartphone a little more, and about the same perceived smartphone reliance during COVID-19. Increased screen time, smartphone reliance, and social media significantly predicted nomophobia and SA. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 does not appear to have exacerbated the prevalence of nomophobia or SA.