Coping Strategies for medical students during the pandemic: A Nigerian Perspective

Toluwalashe Soyemi

doi:10.5195/ijms.2021.720

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unexpected experience for medical students all over Nigeria. Many medical schools were forced to halt academic activities while a few private institutions continued using online sessions.   Medical school in Nigeria gives less time for medical students to pursue other extra-curricular activities and although COVID-19 has brought a lot of unprecedented times, medical students have utilized the opportunity positively by engaging in different activities while accessing a variety of opportunities. Prior to the pandemic, medical students are also known to spend lesser time for social interactions, personal and professional development. Since the lockdown led to the halt of academic activities including lectures and exams in most medical schools in Nigeria, students have more time to explore other activities. Through constantly interacting with my medical colleagues all over Nigeria during the lockdowns, this experience provides a summary of the activities medical students have been engaging in during the lockdown to cope with the shocking changes.

Highlights

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic on March 12, 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO).1 For many medical students in Nigeria and all over the world, it was clear that there was about to be a major shift in the upcoming months, not just in the academic community, and in our everyday lives
Banks and other major institutions were shut down and the first lockdowns were imposed in Nigeria
It was no surprise that there was a strange combination of relief - from the exhausting work at medical school; and fear of what was coming

Summary

Introduction

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic on March 12, 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO).1 For many medical students in Nigeria and all over the world, it was clear that there was about to be a major shift in the upcoming months, not just in the academic community, and in our everyday lives. The average medical student in Nigeria attending a public academic institution spends more than the initial 6 years in university.

Results

Conclusion