news
campusreview.com.au
Stressed
students
speak out
Too much study, overly challenging course content
and rising responsibilities stressing students.
A
year ago, a National Union of Students/headspace
survey of 2600 university students revealed some
troubling insights. A majority (66 per cent) reported high
psychological distress over the past year, while 70 per cent rated
their mental health ‘poor’ or ‘fair’. Now, the sources of their troubles
have been canvassed.
Commissioned by Studiosity, the new survey of 1001 students
found that, overall, the biggest stressors are the amount of study
(34 per cent), overly challenging course content (15 per cent) and
more responsibility (11 per cent). These are followed by paying for a
degree (8 per cent) and meeting new friends (4 per cent).
The results contained demographic differences. For example,
students in New South Wales and South Australia found balancing
work and study more stressful than the amount of study.
But students didn’t just voice their complaints, they also stated
their preferred potential de-stressors. The most popular one was
having access to 24/7 online support (40 per cent). Smaller class
sizes (22 per cent) and having access to financial services and aid
advice (19 per cent) came next.
The founder and executive chair of Studiosity, Jack Goodman,
said the results should be a call-to-action for universities, “to ensure
[students] are able to complete their degree while enjoying the
process at the same time”.
Professor John Rosenberg, former senior deputy vice-chancellor
and vice-president at La Trobe University and Studiosity Academic
Advisory Board member, agreed with Goodman, adding that
universities could harness the results to differentiate themselves,
“by providing student support and services that are equally available
to all students, regardless of their study mode and at a time that’s
convenient for them.” ■
U
Sydney students set out
for US startup scene
Study tour seeks to enhance the ‘design thinking’
of future Aussie entrepreneurs.
2
niversity of Sydney business students are set to rub
shoulders and minds with some of the world’s most
innovative thinkers. In July, a group will venture to
America to immerse themselves in its startup culture.
Designed in collaboration with global business facilitator
FD Global Connections, the US Future of Business Study
Tour will take them from New York