Leisure time of students – future teachers during Covid 19 pandemic

Leisure time is personal time of each individual devoted to personal interests, hobbies. It’s the time structured and organized based on personal preferences. When it comes to students, the activities that they have during leisure time are very important for their personal development. It can be used on different manners based on available time apart from study obligations and personal interests. Different activities such as reading, physical activity, time on social media, hanging out, different hobbies are some of the ways that students spend their leisure time. The significance of spending quality leisure time becomes especially important during COVID 19 pandemic, where changes occurs in all segments of our life. The lockdown and social distancing in some point provided more time for personal interests and leisure activities. Having this in mind, we designed this study, aimed to determine how students spend their leisure time during pandemic and is there differences before the pandemic. Study sample was comprised from 119 students at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, at Goce Delcev University Stip, North Macedonia. Student’s opinions were determined using specially designed questioner that was administrated online. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics was used for data analyses. Obtained results suggested on significant changes in leisure time activities of students before and during pandemic. Students had more available time for leisure, practicing different types of activities compared with the period before the pandemic and more time for their hobbies. The results emphases the importance of structured leisure time as a manner to cope with pandemic and overcome the difficulties using activities that provide personal development and fullness