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Changes in student behaviour during Covid-19 - Follow-up research 2021

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing af...

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StuDocu Research

Academic year: 2020/2021

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Changes in student

behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of

student behaviour and wellbeing during

the worldwide COVID-19 crisis

A report by StuDocu

Changes in student

behaviour during COVID-

A report by StuDocu

A follow-up study into the current state

of student behaviour, mental wellbeing,

and financial welfare during the

worldwide COVID-19 crisis

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

Total respondents: 1,

Country of origin The Netherlands, Germany, United States

Living situation of students

NL 28%

D 25%

US 47%

NL D US

Overview

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

Students in general face a lot of academic pressure. This

includes pressure to meet expectations in order to secure an

internship, join various student clubs and associations for their

personal development, graduate on time and find a good job.

These expectations take their toll on the mental wellbeing and

mental health of students, a group where conditions such as

depression and anxiety play a significant role in their day-to-

day life.

COVID-19 and the associated lockdown measures have only

exacerbated these conditions, resulting in a decreased quality

of life. Having to live an isolated life in their home or dorm,

studying online, and meeting friends and family virtually is in

huge contrast to how students should be developing themselves

in terms of meeting new people in real life, interacting with

others, and unwinding through extracurricular and leisure

activities.

The COVID-19 study we conducted in April 2020 shows that

students eagerly welcomed the rapidly developing EdTech

platforms because of their flexibility and approachability.

Nevertheless, being isolated from fellow students already

began to take its toll on mental wellbeing during the first few

months of 2020.

This report presents the findings of our follow-up study

regarding the impact of COVID-19 during the end of 2020 and

the consequences of the limitations and lockdown measures

on students’ mental health, educational development, and

financial stability.

Introduction

Impact on mental

health and emotions

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

Dominating negative emotions

Impact on mental health and emotions

During the second pandemic wave, students did experience an increase in negative feelings such as stress, anxiety/fear, depression, frustration, loneliness, and hopelessness.

US students experienced about 20 per cent more stress (81%) than their Dutch (59%) and German (63%) counterparts. American students are also affected by anxiety and fear, showing almost a fourfold increase when compared to Dutch students. In addition, US students suffer more from feelings like depression and frustration. Dutch and German students, on the other hand, experienced a growing indifference towards life, affecting almost 1 in 4 students.

Emotions expressed during the 2nd wave

NL D US

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

Dominating negative emotions

Impact on mental health and emotions

Almost 70% of US students experienced stress extremely often or very often during the start of their academic year, while almost 40% of Dutch and German students have experienced these intense forms of stress. When it comes to feelings of anxiety and fear, US students are suffering the most from these conditions, affecting an alarming 70% of all students since the start of their academic year. In contrast, Dutch and German students were a lot less anxious or frightened than their American peers.

Digitalization of

education during COVID-

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

Digitalization of education during COVID-

About half of Dutch, German, and US students believe COVID-19, social isolation, and long-distance schooling have had a positive impact on the digitalization of their university. Mainly Dutch and German students saw great improvements in the digital transformation processes of their educational institutions. Even though students from the three countries surveyed agree that the digital skills of their teachers or professors can use some improvement, the majority of students don’t think their educators need to upscale their skills.

Lack of digital skills among teachers/professors

NL D US

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

Focus and concentration

Digitalization of education during COVID-

About one-third of the Dutch and US students surveyed and 53% of German students have spent the lockdown studying exclusively through online and/or remote- learning formats. However, students don’t generally think a fully online academic experience would suit them the best. Of the Dutch students, 3 out of 4 are more easily distracted during online classes, compared to about half of German and US students.

Ease of distraction

NL D US

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

Focus and concentration

Digitalization of education during COVID-

The same goes for the challenge of staying focused, with almost 75% of Dutch students struggling to stay concentrated, compared to 49% and 56% of German and US students, respectively. As a result, more than 60% of German, and half of the Dutch students experienced a negative impact of the pandemic on their study results. To tackle these focus and concentration problems and improve results, 6 out of 10 students from all three countries would therefore prefer a hybrid form of education when possible, in which online and physical classes are combined.

Harder to concentrate

NL D US

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

E-

Connecting with peers and educators

Digitalization of education during COVID-

During the COVID-19 pandemic and its non-optional advice to stay, live and study at home, it makes sense that students stayed in touch with their peers using online communication channels. The most popular tools used in the Netherlands and Germany are WhatsApp, with 9 out of 10 students using this app, followed by email and Snapchat. In the US, the most commonly used communication tool is email, followed by Facebook Messenger and Blackboard.

To communicate with professors and teachers, the go-to communication tool is email. Almost 80% of all students surveyed use this tool as a formal way to stay in touch with their professors and teachers, followed by educational collaboration platforms like Blackboard and Canvas.

Staying in touch with peers

NL D US

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

E-

Connecting with peers and educators

Digitalization of education during COVID-

Staying in touch with teachers

NL D US

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

Welfare or debt

Financial wellbeing

COVID-19 and its associated lockdown measures had a drastic impact on the financial situation of students during the second half of 2020. One out of 4 students lost their side jobs, resulting in less disposable income. Seven out of 10 US students, 36% of German and 37% of Dutch students have less money to spend due to the pandemic. Even though they save money by not going out to bars and restaurants, not using public transport and not playing sports, students also have been compelled to curb their shopping habits (either online or in-store), and even cut down on necessities such as groceries.

Almost half of US students had to use their savings to pay bills, rent, and other essentials, with almost 20% being unable to make their rent payments. Other forms of support students turn to in order to survive the financial fallout from COVID-19 are increasing their student loans or relying on help from their families. For 51% of US, 27% of German, and 39% of Dutch students these loans manifest themselves in increased student debt.

Impact on current financial situation

NL D US

Changes in student behaviour during COVID-

An overview of the current state of student behaviour and wellbeing during

A report by StuDocu

Outlook for the future

Financial wellbeing

Our results demonstrate that COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on students’ mental wellbeing and quality of life. Besides that, when asked about the students’ prospects for finding a job post-graduation, it shows their concerns extend beyond the graduation goal and they see a negative financial future.

A massive 64% of US students, 40% of German, and 43% of Dutch students are afraid of career and employment setbacks, including reduced job opportunities, a shrinking job market, not being able to find a job matching their professional skills, or finding a job in general. Furthermore, students are extremely concerned about their future financial situation. Almost 70% of US students and half of the Dutch and German students share this worry, and it’s not inconceivable that these worries would keep them awake at night.

COVID-19 affecting post grad job opportunities

NL D US

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