70% students feel remote studies more difficult: survey

A total of 70 per cent of university students feel it has become more difficult to study during the coronavirus epidemic, said the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in a press release on Wednesday referring to a survey.

The survey of university and university of applied sciences (polytechnic) students was carried out in February and March 2021.

Students aged 18–22 and 23–26, in particular, feel that their studies have become more difficult.

At the same time, one in five respondents to the survey said that their studies have been slightly easier.

About half of the students in higher education feel that the amount of work required by their studies has increased during the coronavirus epidemic. Women aged 18–22 who are university students and women aged 18–26 who are students at a university of applied sciences, in particular, report an increase in their study load.

More than half of those studying at higher education institutions report that their feeling of loneliness has increased. Loneliness affects especially women aged 18–22 studying at universities: up to three out of four have experienced loneliness more often than before.

“Other students feel that distance learning has made studying more difficult and lonely. Other students have gained new motivation for studying and more free time. According to preliminary results, people living alone have felt lonely more often than those who have families”, said Suvi Parikka, Development Manager at the THL.

“We need to investigate the link between the experience of loneliness and psychological strain. It is important to examine the impact of psychological welfare safeguards, i.e. social networks. We will get research results on the subject towards the end of the year”, Parikka added.

The survey also found that the coronavirus epidemic has made the financial situation of higher education students more difficult. Nearly 40 per cent feel that their own financial situation has deteriorated to some extent.

On the other hand, around half of university students have not noticed any changes in their financial situation. University of applied sciences students consider their financial situation to have deteriorated more often than university students.

“The worsened employment situation is a key factor in the deterioration of the financial situation. Lay-offs have increased significantly, and the availability of summer jobs for students has been poor”, said Laura Kestilä, Research Manager at THL.

A health and well-being study carried out by THL and the he Social Insurance Institution (Kela) has examined the effects of the coronavirus epidemic on the studies, daily life and lifestyles of university and university of applied sciences students.