69 percent of college students are nervous about returning to third level education

61 percent are worried about Covid-19.

2020 has been a challenging and uncertain time for all, but especially for Irish students. With schools and colleges closed for over five months, it’s only natural that the new academic year will be a daunting one. Exit Entry recently conducted a survey among third-level students in the run up the new college term and found that most students are concerned about returning to college. The research revealed that 69 percent of respondents are nervous about starting or returning to their studies. When queried on their main worries, 61 percent were worried about Covid-19, 20 percent were worried about their accommodation needs, while 20 percent were worried about paying their college fees. The research also found that a substantial 77 percent of third-level students continue to worry about money during the college year while 45 percent of students noted that finding accommodation and paying rent is the main stress for them. A staggering 76 percent think that their college experience will be affected long-term by Covid-19 and the new restrictions while 83 percent are unsure if they will engage in usual student activities such as clubs, societies and sports. In a positive discovery, the survey highlighted that 81 percent of respondents do talk about their future aspirations with friends, with some of the most mentioned careers being doctors, nurses, veterinarians, teachers, Gardaí and solicitors. Colleges in Ireland are due to reopen in September and October.