Some 71 per cent of students say that they feel behind on their studies, according to a survey carried out by Trinity.
Only 28 per cent of respondents said that they were keeping up “reasonably well” with their courses. Some 53 per cent said that they felt a “bit behind” and 18 per cent said they were “significantly behind” on their studies. One per cent said that they were not studying at all.
Trinity is now considering how it can increase face-to-face teaching in small-group seminars and tutorials, focusing on programmes that were forced entirely online under level-five restrictions.
In an email to staff and students tonight, Vice-Provost Jürgen Barkhoff announced the results of the survey carried out by the College on learning next semester.
Some 79 per cent of the 6,000 students surveyed said that they would like more in-person teaching under level-three restrictions, and 64 per cent said they back more in-person classes under level five.
Some 1,824 of the respondents were in first year.
Provost Patrick Prendergast had previously announced some of the results of the survey at Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union’s council meeting on Tuesday.
Some 78 per cent of respondents have “no particular concern” about semester two or making a return to campus.
In the email, Barkhoff said: “As we plan for the next semester we want to bring you the best possible student experience while adhering to public health guidelines.”
“I am fully aware of the importance of face-to-face teaching and other in-person activities for the mental wellbeing and health of our student body, as are our colleagues in Student Counselling and College Health”, he added.
“The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science also recognises that some students require additional support over and above that which can be provided online.”
A number of universities have announced that teaching will remain online for the rest of the academic year. University College Dublin has said that students will be able to finish out the academic year online, even if the university reopens some in-person classes.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris, however, is reportedly pushing for more in-person teaching next semester, as fears mount that substantial numbers of students could drop out of college.
