Student Thriving Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Professional Students in Clinical Laboratory Science, Occupational Therapy, and Therapeutic Recreation

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic changed students’ educational experience in dramatic ways, especially in regards to the switch to total online learning and lack of in-person interactions with classmates and faculty. In addition, the crisis in healthcare affected students’ clinical experience placements. Mental health issues were exacerbated. Despite these changes and challenges it is difficult to hypothesize how it impacted student’s thriving. This article expands upon the authors’ previous research by exploring thriving levels during the semester before the pandemic and the three subsequent semesters. Students in Clinical Laboratory Science, Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation programs participated in an online survey using the Thriving Quotient (Schreiner, 2010) and open-ended questions to collect quantitativequalitative data. Results showed that difficulties juggling demands decreased; challenges of online learning subsided and became a support to thriving and loneliness was experienced across all four semesters. Quantitative and qualitative data from our study suggests that, despite the disruption and dissatisfaction, students in our professional programs continued to thrive academically. Recommendations for improving student thriving are provided.