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University students and study habits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 May 2021

C. Clarke ,
M. Mullin ,
D. McGrath  and
N. Farrelly
C. Clarke*
Affiliation:
Dublin North Mental Health Services, Millmount Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, Ireland
M. Mullin
Affiliation:
College Health Service, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
D. McGrath
Affiliation:
College Health Service, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
N. Farrelly
Affiliation:
College Health Service, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: C. Clarke, HSE, Psychiatry, Millmount Mental Health Clinic, Millmount Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 8, Ireland. (Email: cclarke2@rcsi.ie)
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Abstract

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to understand the variables or study habits that inform study in undergraduate and postgraduate students attending Trinity College Dublin.

Methods:

A descriptive, cross-sectional anonymous online survey was used to gather data to explore student study habits. Survey 1 was completed by participants in April 2019 and survey 2 was completed by participants in April 2020, during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Results:

A total of 1557 participants completed survey 1 in 2019, and 1793 participants completed survey 2 in 2020. In both surveys a majority reported using caffeine, library study, sleep pattern adjustment and excercise to aid academic performance. Survey 2 participants reported COVID-19 resulted in increased difficulty studying (91%). In particular loss of structure and routine was negatively impacted by the pandemic (92%), and increased feelings of stress were reported (75%).

Conclusions:

Our study suggests a potential role of the college environment as a target for the implementation of interventions to promote student learning, healthy study habits and well-being. The global pandemic has resulted in additional challenging demands for universities to serve an essential role in supporting college students study habits.

Keywords

Covid-19university studentsstudy habitsmental health
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , First View , pp. 1 - 10
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

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