Students’ Emotions in Online Learning Post-Covid-19: A Study of Malaysian University Students

Authors

  • Salinayanti Salim
  • Christie Andharea

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33736/tur.7757.2025

Keywords:

Online learning, post-Covid-19, Student emotions, Malaysian university, Digital education

Abstract

This study explores the emotional experiences of the students in a Malaysian university in online learning post-COVID-19. The pandemic forced a shift from traditional to online learning, leading to various emotional responses among students. However, there is limited understanding of how these emotional responses impact students’ engagement and learning satisfaction in the Malaysian context. A survey of 121 students revealed mixed feelings. While some appreciated the flexibility and comfort of learning from home, others faced anxiety, boredom, and challenges with maintaining focus and motivation. The study found that students enjoyed certain aspects of online learning, such as recorded lectures, but struggled with engagement and technical issues. The findings highlight the need for more interactive and supportive online learning environments to enhance student satisfaction and learning outcomes.

Author Biography

Christie Andharea

Christie Andharea is a final year student with English for Global Communication programme at the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

References

A'yunin, A. (2023). Vocational high school students’ emotional experiences of English online learning during pandemic. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research, 06(01). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v6-i1-89

Ainiyah N, Zahroh C, Khamida K, Budury S, Nurjanah S, Hasina SN & Wardhany SE (2021). Emotional intelligence and self-efficacy as predictor factors of student resilience in online learning during pandemic era. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 9(T5), 40-43. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.7854

Alam, F., Yang, Q., Bhutto, M. Y., & Akhtar, N. (2021). The influence of E-learning and emotional intelligence on psychological intentions: study of stranded Pakistani students. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.715700

Baltà-Salvador, R., Olmedo-Torre, N., Peña, M., & Renta-Davids, A. I. (2021). Academic and emotional effects of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic on engineering students. Education and Information Technologies, 26(6), 7407-7434. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10593-1

Baticulon, R., Sy, J., Alberto, N., Baron, M., Mabulay, R., Rizada, L., & Reyes, J. (2021). Barriers to online learning in the time of COVID-19: A national survey of medical students in the Philippines. Medical Science Educator, 31(2), 615-626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-021-01231-z

Boca, G. D. (2021). Factors influencing students’ behavior and attitude towards online education during COVID-19. Sustainability, 13(13), 7469. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137469

Chung, E., Subramaniam, G., & Dass, L. (2020). Online learning readiness among university students in Malaysia amidst COVID-19. Asian Journal of University Education, 16(2), 45. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v16i2.10294

Deng, W., Lei, W., Guo, X., Ge, W., & Hu, W. (2021). Effects of regulatory focus on online learning engagement of high school students: The mediating role of self-efficacy and academic emotions. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 38(3), 707-718. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12642

Fawaz, M., & Samaha, A. (2021). E‐learning: Depression, anxiety, and stress symptomatology among Lebanese university students during COVID‐19 quarantine. Nursing Forum, 56(1), 52-57. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12521

Hamzah, F., Soo, Y. P., Sharifudin, M. A. S., Zain, Z. M., & Rahim, M. (2021). exploring students’ readiness on English language blended learning. Asian Journal of University Education, 16(4), 161–175. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v16i4.11948

Hernández-Torrano, D., Ibrayeva, L., Sparks, J., Lim, N., Clementi, A., Almukhambetova, A., Nurtayev, Y., & Muratkyzy, A. (2020). Mental health and well-being of university students: A bibliometric mapping of the literature. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 540000. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01226

Hrastinski, S. (2019). What do we mean by blended learning? Techtrends, 63(5), 564-569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-019-00375-5

Ishak, S., Ahmad Mokhtar, E. A., Abdul Jamil, N. & Haron, H. (2021). Measuring students emotion on online learning during Covid-19 pandemic using conditional probability. European Proceedings of Multidisciplinary Sciences. https://doi.org/10.15405/epms.2022.10.33

Jafar, A., Dollah, R., Mittal, P., Idris, A., Kim, J. E., Abdullah, M. S., et al. (2023). Readiness and challenges of e-learning during the Covid-19 pandemic era: a space analysis in Peninsular Malaysia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 905. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20020905

Johnson, N., Seaman, J., & Poulin, R. (2022). Defining different modes of learning: Resolving confusion and contention through consensus. Online Learning, 26(3). https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v26i3.3565

Kreijns, K., Xu, K., & Weidlich, J. (2021). Social presence: Conceptualization and measurement. Educational Psychology Review, 34(1), 139-170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09623-8

Landra, I. K. G., Dantes, I. N., Suarni, N. K., Budiawan, M., & Permana, I. G. Y. (2022). EFL students’ anxiety in remote learning during COVID-19 pandemic. JETT, 13(2), 236-242.

Li, H., Zhu, S., Wu, D., Yang, H., & Guo, Q. (2023). Impact of information literacy, self-directed learning skills, and academic emotions on high school students’ online learning engagement: A structural equation modeling analysis. Education and Information Technologies, 28(10), 13485-13504. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11760-2

Marks, H. (2000). Student engagement in instructional activity: Patterns in the elementary, middle, and high school years. American Educational Research Journal, 37(1), 153-184. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312037001153

Mohammed, L. A., Aljaberi, M. A., Amidi, A., Abdulsalam, R., Lin, C., Hamat, R. A., & Abdallah, A. M. (2022). Exploring factors affecting graduate students’ satisfaction toward e-learning in the era of the COVID-19 crisis. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 12, pp 1121–1142. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe12080079

Peck, D. (n.d.). Online learning statistics. Devlin Peck. [Retrieved 5 March 2024], from https://www.devlinpeck.com/content/online-learning-statistics.

Project SVM2021. (2021). Student Voice Matters (SVM) 2021 articles. [Retrieved 5 March 2024], from https://project-id.org/svm2021

Ranganathan, H., Singh, D. K. A., Kumar, S., Sharma, S., Chua, S. K., Ahmad, N. B., & Harikrishnan, K. (2021). Readiness towards online learning among physiotherapy undergraduates. BMC Medical Education, 21, 376. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02803-8

Siddique, M., Hamayun, M., & Khan, M. A. (2022). Effect of COVID-19 on the mental health of students in Pakistan: The online education pressure, fear of failing and psychological distress. Gomal University Journal of Research, 38(2), 180-192. https://doi.org/10.51380/gujr-38-02-05

Sun, J., & Zhang, X. (2023). Exploring Chinese college students’ emotions as they engage in online learning during a pandemic. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 43(4), 984-995. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2021.1965541

Vo, P. (2021). Achievement emotions and barriers to online learning of university students during the COVID-19 Time. Proceedings of the AsiaCALL International Conference, 621, 109–120. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211224.012

Downloads

Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Salim, S. ., & Anak Sabli, C. A. (2025). Students’ Emotions in Online Learning Post-Covid-19: A Study of Malaysian University Students. Trends in Undergraduate Research, 8(1), f1–10. https://doi.org/10.33736/tur.7757.2025

Issue

Section

Language and Communication