Academic Resilience and Enthusiasm of Students about the Virtual Education Program Implemented during COVID-19 Pandemic

Lockdown in educational institutions and universities and implementing virtual education programs were the first and most basic measures to prevent the spread of the Corona pandemic in all countries, including Iran. This study was conducted to compare the state of academic resilience and its relationship with the academic enthusiasm of medical (Nursing and Midwifery) and non-medical students during the implementation of the virtual education program at the Islamic Azad University of Rasht.Materials & This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted 425 students from different faculties of the university were randomly selected and completed Fredericks questionnaires of academic resilience and enthusiasm for education. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23, descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), and analytical statistics (independent t-test, one-way variance, and Pearson's correlation). There was the least academic resilience during the implementation of the virtual education program in the Department of Medical Sciences. In addition, the academic enthusiasm was reported to be lower than in other faculties. The average score in both dependent variables was higher in male students than in female students (p<0.001). Moroever, there was a statistically significant difference between the average score of academic resilience in medical and non-medical students (p=0.001). The findings showed the poor condition of resilience and academic enthusiasm of medical students. Medical sciences that work with saving people's lives, especially in medical sciences is essential to save people's lives. Therefore, there is a need for more attention for creating suitable communication conditions in the university environment and professors with students to improve the situation caused by COVID-19 epidemic.