Jennifer Uzoamaka Duruamauku-Dim, Obaya Effiong Bassey, Sampson Ifeanyi Owor & Pamela Njinse Ekuri
Abstract
The study adopted the descriptive survey design to assess the perception and adjustment of students towards the new normal of COVID-19 in universities. Three research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. A total of 3,553 regular undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education of the three universities in Cross River State constituted the study’s population. The cluster and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select 1,421 undergraduates, representing 40 per cent of the study’s population. Data were collected using the “Students’ Perception and Adjustment Questionnaire” (SPAQ) designed by the researchers, validated by experts, with Cronbach reliability coefficients of .87 and .93 for the two sub-domains respectively. Copies of the instrument were administered to the respondents with 1,403 properly filled and returned copies. Collected data were subjected to statistical analysis using both descriptive and inferential techniques. It was found that students reported significantly low extents of perception and adjustment to the new normal in universities; students’ perception has no significant contribution to their adjustment to the new normal in universities. Based on the findings, it was recommended, inter alia, that counselling services be rendered to university students to change their notion or perception of the new normal.