The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the academic learning environment since March 2020. In order to study the impacts of this transformation and adapt services, supports, and resources to student needs, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ has released a series of student surveys to better assess current realities, understand what's going well, and consider where more help may be needed.

Survey Results: Checking In Today, Planning For Tomorrow

One year after the pandemic changed the way we live and learn, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ invited students to participate in another University-wide survey. We wanted to check in on how you were feeling and learning in the Winter semester and how those experiences compared to Fall 2020. We wanted to understand the impact of COVID-19 on your research, specifically amongst our graduate students. Finally, we wanted to know your plans as we look ahead to the gradual reopening of campus.

The survey was open from March 18 to April 8, 2021, and had a response rate of 24%.

Results of the survey are being used to provide and adapt supports based on student degree type, as well as academic and student life experiences.

What did we learn?

We created two infographics to highlight the key messages from the survey results. You can view them below or click here for PDF versions (with clickable links):

View Undergraduate Results 

View Graduate Results

Undergraduate Results

Graduate Results

COVID-19 Student Impact Survey Results

The COVID-19 Student Impact Survey was launched in May 2020 to help units across the University better understand the student experience in the Winter 2020 term. These results highlight the experiences of current ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ students. They will be used along with the results of a new survey for incoming students to inform how we serve and support students in the coming year.
 

Highlights of findings

While many students acknowledged some of the beneficial aspects of remote learning, they told us that they faced several challenges with this new model.

What went well?

Percentage of undergraduate students 

Percentage of 
graduate students 

Feedback topic 

80% 

62% 

appreciated flexible hours to complete coursework 

92% 

90% 

had sufficient access to a reliable computer 

 
Students who are facing financial challenges in meeting all costs for the semester or academic year can book a remote meeting with a Financial Aid Counselor to look at their finances and work on solutions together. 

91% 

89% 

had sufficient access to videoconferencing software 

 
All ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ students have access to three IT platforms: MS Teams, Zoom, and WebEx

86% 

83% 

had access to the software needed for their program 

75% 

83% 

had access to online resources from ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Libraries 

 
In addition to the over 3.5 million e-books and e-journals already available, students now have access to many of the Library's print materials through the Hathi Trust Digital Library's Emergency Temporary Access Service. 

What were the challenges? 

Percentage of undergraduate students 

Percentage of 
graduate students 

Feedback topic 

50% 

52% 

did not have a quiet place to learn/study 

 
Tutorial Services has compiled a list of resources and information to help students adjust their study habits, including tips on how to prepare a study space. 

73% 

66% 

had difficulty focusing and paying attention 

 
TLS has created a page to help students stay on track while continuing their studies remotely, including strategies for success, study tactics, and learning with Zoom. 

  

Tutorial Services has developed a wide array of Learning Strategies for students, including resources focused on Remote Learning and a on topics like time management, note-taking, exam strategies and more. 

71% 

73% 

experienced personal stress 

 
The Student Wellness Hub offers virtual services and programming to help you feel supported and connected. 

  

ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ students can also access , a student-focused mental health counselling service that provides access to licensed counsellors through phone, video call, and secure mobile chat. Information is available for and students. 

73% 

70% 

want help to get and stay motivated 

 
Connect and study virtually with classmates through , or on myCourses discussion boards. 

  

For upcoming webinars to support students’ remote learning success, undergraduates should register for SKILLS21. Graduate students should consult the bimonthly SKILLSETS ebulletins for upcoming events and resources or visit the SKILLSETS webpage. 

  

Consult the . 

About the survey

The COVID-19 Student Impact Survey was a collaboration between Teaching and Learning Services (TLS), Student Services, and Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS). Its purpose was to help units across the University to understand the student experience since the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a temporary campus closure and courses to move to remote delivery and changed the way we all live. Survey questions were divided into three sections: 1) Home Situation, 2) Experiences with Remote Learning, and 3) Intentions for Future Study. Results are being used to inform how we serve and support ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ students in the coming academic year.

The survey was open from May 1 through to May 24, 2020. It was administered to a population of over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students who were enrolled at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ in the winter 2020 term after the add/drop deadline. The response rate was 22%. Female students were overrepresented by 9% and international students by 5%; the sample was determined to be representative by Faculty.

Planning for a Remote Fall Semester - Survey Results

From June 25 to July 11, 2020, Student Services surveyed new and returning degree-seeking students about their needs and preferences for the remote Fall 2020 semester. Specifically, the five key objectives of this survey were to determine:

  1. Key information about students’ living situations;
  2. Access to technological tools;
  3. Access to academic supports;
  4. Student needs and wellbeing; and
  5. Methods for creating connections and community during a COVID-19 reality.

The survey was circulated to 31,500 students and had a 30% response rate. Results have and will continue to be used by services and Faculties to provide you, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ students, with programs and services that meet your needs.

What did we learn?

We created two infographics to highlight the key messages from the survey results. You can view them below or click here for PDF versions: 

View Undergraduate Results

View Graduate Results

Undergraduate Results

 

Graduate Results 

Questions about this survey can be sent to %20lina.digenova [at] mcgill.ca (subject: I%20have%20a%20question%21%20Planning%20for%20a%20Remote%20Fall%20Semester%20Survey) (Dr. Lina Di Genova), Director of Evaluation and Strategy , Student Services and %20natalie.phillips [at] mcgill.ca (subject: I%20have%20a%20questions%21%20Planning%20for%20a%20Remote%20Fall%202020%20Semester%20Survey) (Natalie Phillips-Elgar), Planning Analyst, Analysis, Planning & Budget.

Note: The following students groups were excluded from this survey population:

  • students who are on a leave of absence, an exchange at another university, etc.;
  • students in diploma and certificate programs
  • residents and fellows.

Checking-In Student Survey Results

In October, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Student Services launched a survey to check in on you and how your fall semester was going. Results of the survey are being used to provide and adapt supports based on your location, learning and student life experiences.

The survey was open from October 6th to 18th, 2020, and the overall response rate was 28% (or 9,900 students out of 36,500 eligible to participate).

What did we learn?

We created two infographics to highlight the key messages from the survey results. You can view them below or click here for PDF versions (with clickable links): 

Undergraduate Results

Graduate Results

Undergraduate Results

 

Graduate Results