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Student’s Quality of Life at the University: a Qualitative Study

Published: 10 April 2020
Volume 16 , pages 1517–1535, ( 2021 )

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Graciela H. Tonon ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1892-7958 1

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Since the end of the XX century the university has enlarged its traditional role focused on the production and reproduction of scientific knowledge, thus becoming a social institution, an academic reference for those whose lives are developed within its walls (Tonon 2012b , p. 4). For more than a decade, we have worked in this thematic field, and the development of three former research projects (2005–2013) has allowed us to identify a direct and positive relationship between the person’s access to university studies and their quality of life. This has reinforced the idea that access to the university is a strategy which improves people’s quality of life, generating an enhancement of their sense of well-being (Tonon 2005 ). The pilot study we are about to put forward has been conducted during the years 2018 and 2019, with students of different courses of study in the Faculty of Social Sciences of Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora, Argentina, with the object of examining their opinion regarding their quality of life at the university. It is a pilot study which provides the university authorities with a situational analysis for the construction of an institutional agenda of higher education. Furthermore, it is the first step toward generating the construction process of a new indicator development on the study of quality of university life. The abovementioned research study was conducted by the qualitative method, and carried out on the basis of a sample of 200 university students between the ages of 18 and 20.

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The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora, Argentina, Mag. Gustavo Naòn.

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Tonon, G.H. Student’s Quality of Life at the University: a Qualitative Study. Applied Research Quality Life 16 , 1517–1535 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09827-0

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Received : 26 November 2019

Accepted : 01 March 2020

Published : 10 April 2020

Issue Date : August 2021

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09827-0

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Stress in College Students, Its Causes and Effects Research Paper

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Major Cause: Social Causes

Leading second cause: financial causes of stress, academic causes of stress, effects of stress on college students.

Evidently, college life is a difficult and testing stage of a person’s life. In particular, the modern American college life is characterized by stress and frustrations. Among other things, financial, social and academic factors contribute to the increasing rate of students with stress in modern colleges and universities. The need to balance classes, research projects, extracurricular activities, relationships and work makes it difficult for students to cope with college life (Chemers, Hu & Garcia, 2011).

Recognizing the cause and effect of stress in college students is an important aspect in college management and leadership as it will lead to a better understanding and development of the appropriate methods for intervention (Chemers et al., 2011). In this context, the paper seeks to investigate the cause and effects of stress in college students, arguing that stress is a major issue in student life and is based on three major aspects: financial, social and academic stress.

Upon entry into a college, freshmen face a number of social challenges as they attempt to adapt to the new environment, develop new relationships and establish social networks among them. In particular, new students must leave behind the social support, relationships and networks previously developed within their neighborhoods, places of work and high schools. The new environment requires students to reschedule their relationships and develop new ones with new people from different backgrounds and geographical locations (Dyrbye, Thomas & Shanafelt, 2010).

It is worth noting that new students find it difficult to cope with the loss of close parental support previously enjoyed during their high school years. They must deal with the fact that they are away from their homes. They have to live with strange peers as roommates. In addition, they must manage their own activities, including balancing new relationships with academics and other issues.

Secondly, it is important to note that most college students are in their early adulthood or late adolescent ages. In human development and lifespan, these are the most critical stages in which a person must develop relationships with peers, including intimate relations. In these stages, individuals are sexually active and the desire to explore sexuality is at the peak. In addition, the college life offers maximum freedom for developing any form of relationships, including those with opposite sex.

In particular, most students come from backgrounds where parental control and limitation of freedom are common. As such, the freedom offered by college life exposes students to various risks and opportunities. An individual finds that it is almost free to test relationships, drug and other aspects of life common among the young people. Peer pressure, the desire to explore and the emotions created by age seem to be in conflict with the desire to have self-control and dedication to academics and learning. As such, the students develop emotional and mental stress that makes it difficult to concentrate on academics.

As previously mentioned, students find themselves in a new position that requires them to be their own managers. In most cases, students are being exposed to the idea of financial control and management for the first time in their lives. They have a free access to the finances provided by both the parents or the relevant authorities and sponsors. Considering that most students are in the human growth stages that require one to explore such issues as drugs and sexual activities, it becomes difficult to achieve an effective method of managing funds. For instance, alcohol and impulse buying are common factors that affect the students’ ability to control and manage their funds.

For instance, while other drugs are normally prohibited in most colleges, alcohol is allowed to an extent, especially if one does not disrupt others. Moreover, the freedom to move in and out of the institution as well as visiting clubs and other places for leisure requires the students to have adequate supplies of funds. Peer pressure makes most students fail to apply effective management of the funds available to them, which causes emotional and psychological stress.

Obviously, the degree of difficulty of college and university education is relatively high when compared to high schools. At this level, a student is required to attend classes, take and pass tests, carry out research, complete assignments and projects and make presentations as required by their institutions (Chemers et al., 2011). In addition, most American colleges and universities require the students to be active in one or more extracurricular activities.

At the same time, the institutional environment exposes the students to excessive freedom. Students find it difficult to balance between the social freedoms the new environment gives them and the excessive demands for academic excellence. At the same time, they need to manage their funds as well. The social and financial stressors increase the degree of academic pressure because the institutions seems to have little regards for the student’s social and financial needs and places emphasis on academic excellence. In addition, with little parental and psychological support from the institutions, the students find it difficult to deal with these stressors, yet the university expects them to perform excellent.

Economic Eeffect 1

Students tend to change their social orientation after joining colleges. The increased freedom offered by the university environment makes the students spend much of their finances on some unnecessary things such as entertainment, leisure, drugs, alcohol and junk foods. The parents spend a lot of money on their children’s education, yet the students spend much of the parent’s money on things that do not create value on their academic and career goals.

Economic Effect 2

Parents, the government and the society invest heavily in the education system. They expect the students to perform excellently in academics and assume the roles of leadership in the economic, political and social sectors. However, the academic and social stresses affecting the students also affect the academic outcomes. Rather than performing as per the social expectations, the students perform poorly due to the stressing factors, making the society make economic losses.

As mentioned above, drinking and eating habits are common problems among the college and university students. Partially due to stress, financial, social, and academic pressures, students struggle with eating habits. Some tend to consume excessive sugary or junk foods while others use excessive alcohol. Others end up eating little amounts of food, leading to health and weight problems. The pressures to perform excellently in academics make it difficult for most students to find enough time for sleep or rest. In fact, sleep problems are some of the major issues affecting most college students, including insomnia and the associated psychological problems (Cohen, Kamarck & Mermelstein, 2003).

At the end, the economic effect is that the students perform poorly in academics, making the society loss the economic potential of the young age. Education is a major investment for the society. The society expects the young people to perform excellently in academics and take the roles of steering the economy once they graduate. However, the poor performance caused by these stressors makes the society lose the economic potentials of the young generation.

In order to find the best ways of developing the appropriate intervention programs or methods, the knowledge of causes and effects of stress on college students is required. This paper has examined these issues. It has emerged that the major causes of stress are financial, academic and social factors. On the other hand, these stressors cause health and psychological problems that should be solved in order to enhance mental, psychological and physical health in students.

Chemers, M. M., Hu, L. T., & Garcia, B. F. (2011). Academic self-efficacy and first year college student performance and adjustment. Journal of Educational Psychology , 93 (1), 55.

Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (2003). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of health and social behavior , 24 (4), 385-396.

Dyrbye, L. N., Thomas, M. R., & Shanafelt, T. D. (2010). Medical student distress: causes, consequences, and proposed solutions. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 80 (12), 1613-1622.

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Frida Khalo and her sources of inspiration.
The role of Kazimir Malevich in abstract art development.
Art in the early renaissance and today’s European society .
Art therapy techniques: what are they and are they effective?
The difference of women’s representation in ancient and modern art .
Comparative analysis of modern and classic cubism .
The history and main features of abstract expressionism .
The relationship between art and globalization .
The influence of art on the fashion industry in Japan.

Biology Research Topics for College Students

Let’s move on to biology. This science deals with vital processes of living organisms. We’ve gathered a list of topics from different biology fields. You’ll find essay ideas from the fields of botany and zoology to genetics.

Research in biology has one distinctive feature. It is the use of research lab equipment. If you don’t use it and base your research on other sources — make sure they are credible.

What are the attributes of a research paper in biology?

Molecular biology, cellular, and other categories of biology imply accurate measurements. There is no place for mistakes here. Otherwise, the relevance of research results would be insignificant. A researcher should be scrupulous in calculations and statements.

So, feel free to pick up any topics from the list below. Study them thoroughly!

The impact of global warming on marine life.
Extensive research of photosynthesis aspects and functions.
Thyroid hormones and their impact on the female body.

DNA structure, modifications, and genetic disorders .
Is it ethical to test cosmetics on animals ?
The ability of living organisms to adapt to changing environments.
The need for the protection of rare and endangered species .
The role of sustainability in biology.
Advantages and disadvantages of organic farming .
The role of neurobiology in artificial intelligence development.
The discovery and impact of Darwin’s theory .
The discovery, history, and importance of vaccination .
The role of microbes and microbiology in health .
Neurobiology and its association with emotional trauma .
Biology: mechanical signals regulating development .
Cultural variations in environment and biology: AIDS .
A review of the ecology and biology of the whale shark.
Performance and quality assessment of methods for detection of point mutations.
Optical imaging techniques in cell biology .
Computational methods in molecular biology .

Educational Research Topics for Students

What can be trickier than studying how to study? Education research papers evolve at a rapid pace as the world changes every day. That is why new techniques and approaches are in demand.

No other discipline will answer the milestone questions as well as education. And the most important is about human nature.

What can make a precious contribution to society? The definite answer is — driving innovations in studying .

Want to remain in history as an author of a revolutionary breakthrough? Explore educational research paper topics for college students:

Language distribution issues in bilingual schooling .
Critical thinking as the primary goal of the educational process.
Role-playing games as a learning tool .
Pay-for-performance scheme for teachers .
Moving from compliance to performance-based schools .
Bilingual learning: advantages and disadvantages.
Educational approaches in retrospective.
Aspects of multicultural educational practices.
The importance of inclusivity in teaching .
Popular modern educational techniques: a comparison.
Arithmetical problem-solving difficulties .
Learning methods for blind children.
The role of technology in lesson planning .
Role-playing as an educational practice.
The need for parents’ involvement in the educational process.
Tools to develop the best teaching strategy .
The efficiency of gamification .
Individual approach to students.
Popular educational mobile apps.
Peculiarities of teaching disabled children .
Same-gender and mixed-gender schools: a comparative analysis.
Understanding the causes of school violence and bullying.
The importance of sex education at schools.
The educational system in America : problems and prospects.
Cloud computing in educational institutions: an impact on the educational environment.
Ethical behavior in higher educational institutions.
Cooperation of educational institutions and businesses: successful cases.
Information technology as a means of educational process improvement.
Homeschooling and its influence on communication skills.
Comparative analysis of distance learning and face-to-face education efficiency.
Individualized versus group learning.
The necessity of higher education for all students.
Best practices of top higher education establishments.
Peculiarities of teacher’s education in America.
Preschool education versus tertiary education .
Teacher as a researcher. Cross-age peer tutoring .
Multicultural and monocultural education programs: a comparison.
Comparison of advantages and disadvantages of tablets and printed textbooks .
Should education be free?
Education unification: reasons to apply in high schools.

Environmental Research Topics

Our day-to-day comfort is an inherent cause of environmental problems. We may drive a car and have no idea how we harm nature.

Eco activism is a growing trend. Ecology issues acquired a more frequent and lucid coverage. Regardless, people tend to overlook the environment. They got the idea that we should protect our planet, but not all of them are ready to act.

That is why we need to be aware of more facts and measures. This can’t be obtained without decent environmental science research papers.

Do you want to be a part of it? Use our list of environmental research topics for college students:

Risks of climate change and global warming .
Aspects and perspectives of Kyoto protocol .
Green hydrogen in automotive industry : is it a great alternative?
The origin of the carbon tax .
Amazonian deforestation , its causes, and trends.
The greenhouse effect : process, components, and risks.
Types of pollution : air, water, and soil.
Alternative energy in Europe.
Water scarcity in the Middle East .

Wind energy as an alternative source .
Benefits of sustainable technology and living .
Vulnerability of hazardville to flooding disasters .
Environment protection authority and chemical waste .
Population control in China.
Geoengineering principles.
Acid rains : the cause and current measures.
Radioactive waste disposal.
The protection of wildlife .
E-mobility as an environmental protection measure.
Ecological conservation.

Gender roles and aspects are one of the central social questions nowadays. Studies in this field are as relevant and necessary as never before. It pushes our society forward, eliminating gender inequality and discrimination.

Do you want to contribute to gender knowledge but don’t know where to start? Here is the list of most relevant gender studies essay topics:

Public policy analysis on gender inequality in education in South Sudan.
The history of gender concept.
Gender imbalance in the developing countries.
Sex reassignment in treating gender dysphoria : a way to psychological well-being.
Employee issues: gender discrimination, sexual harassment , discrimination.
Gender roles in couples and sex stereotypes in society.
The diversity of gender and sexual orientation identities of transgender individuals.
MeToo movement as sexual harassment fight measure.
Feminism : the contraception movement in Canada.
Maternity and paternity leaves .
The correlation between gender and cognitive abilities .
Transgender people and healthcare barriers .
Race and gender in public relations .
Gender stereotyping in American media .
The health and well-being of LGBTQA+ young people in Australia.
Cancel culture in America.
Transgender healthcare issues.
Transgender person in professional sports.
Female genital mutilation.
Gender roles in media.

Law Research Paper Topics

We cannot imagine a civilized society without law. Even though the fundamental rights and obligations in different countries are mostly similar, there is still a great scope of differences to research.

We gathered the list of law research paper topics to explore:

Human rights violations in CIS countries.
A self-enforcing model of corporate law .
Corporate strategies and environmental regulations : organizing framework.
The benefits of decriminalization .
International criminal law and measures .
Discrimination in the workplace in legal practice.
Welfare legislation for families .
Intellectual property law: copyright law, trademark law, patent law.
Enforcement of civil rights law in private workplaces.
The establishment of foreign and international law in American courts. A procedural overview.
Family law : spousal support after a divorce in Canada.
Employment law and workplace relations in Saudi Arabia.
Applicable real estate laws and policies for sustainable development in South Africa.
Retrospective of the immigration crisis in Europe.
The need for a domestic violence law in Russian Federation.
Religious crimes and religious laws.
Terrorism in different countries’ law systems.
Grievance procedure in the European court of human rights.
Cybercrimes in legal practice.
Human trafficking and slavery in the modern world.

When it comes to literature, there is a vast ocean of ideas to research. The topics can be classified into a large number of categories. Those can be literature genres, awards, trends in literature, different social aspects of literature, etc.

To make finding the best fit easier, we conducted a list of the world literature research topics:

Golden Age writers and their impact on literature.
Feminist literature authors.
Y. Zamyatin’s “We” as the origin of dystopian literature.
Trends of modern literature .
Ancient Greece literature.
Is best seller always good literature?
Tricksters in literature.
Post-modernism in literature .
Sexual violence in the “Handmaid’s Tale” by Atwood .
Children literature.
The works of J. D. Salinger .
Social perception of modern literature .
Philosophy, literature, and religion in society: a comparative analysis of the impact on human life.
The portrayal of racism in the literature of the 21st century.
Censorship in literature.
Professional literature trends.
Central themes in American literature .
The impact of digitalization on literature.
The role of the main character in literature.
Literature: print versus digitalized?

Music Research Paper Topics

Research is something we can do not only in astronomy or molecular biology. We need it in the music too. Music shapes our life in a way we can’t even imagine. It’s a tremendous social and cultural phenomenon to explore.

These are 20 potential topics for your research in the music industry :

The effect of music on a human brain .
The evolution of rap music .
TikTok as the most efficient promotional channel for new music.
The origin of music theory.
The music industry and information technology .
The influence of Kanye West performances on the music industry.
Music journalism : the most influential music media.
Feminism and sex in hip-hop music .
Opera and instrumental music .
The origin of music festivals .
Reggae music and its aspects .
Latin American women and trap music .
Streaming services prospects.
Music as the way of promoting new trends.
Features of punk music.

Psychology Research Paper Topics

Psychology is a multidisciplinary kind of field. That means there’s a wide range of potential research questions.

Do you need to write a psychology paper? Explore the list of possible topics:

Cross-cultural psychology: research and application.
The psychology of self-esteem .
Aspects of industrial and organizational psychology .
The psychology of learning and motivation : skill and strategy in memory use.
Description of remarkable experiments and their results in psychology.
The influence of meditation on people’s health .
Analyzing psychological disorders: disorders treatment and research .
Personality psychology and zen Buddhism .
Perception of psychology in society .
Organizational behavior. Emotion and personality .
Children’s emotional development .
Predictors of postpartum depression.

Symptoms, causes, and treatment of schizophrenia.
The social, political, and religious reasons of homophobia .
Eating disorders in males: current progress and challenges.
The side effects of antidepressants .
Cognitive psychology : best cognitive scientists’ practices.
Social anxiety as a constraint in learning.
Alzheimer’s disease : working strategies for disease modification.
The relation between the aging process and psychology.

Religion Research Paper Topics

Religious institutions, beliefs, and customs also get explored in papers quite often. That is rather a controversial sphere of education, so we gathered the most relevant religion paper topics below to help you.

The religious significance of the Bible .
The place of women in Islam .
The history of Christianity in Indonesia .
Assessing a crisis of faith and making a pastoral crisis intervention.
Forced religion: cause and effect on children.
The problem of creation mythology in the study of Indian religion.
Existence of God : a philosophical introduction.
Religion and mythology: concepts, differences.
The role of religion in attitudes toward LGBT individuals.
Issues and traditions in western religion .
Theology in the concepts of nature, time, and the future.
Religion and government interaction in the US.
The history of the Christian church in East Europe.
Religion freedom and its limitation .
Hinduism and Buddhism: similarities and differences .
Baptism in Christianity .
The impact of religion on terrorism .
The God of Israel and Christian theology .
Culture and religion: how they interact.
Religion and social morality.

Science Research Topics for College Students

What is a better way to uncover the mysteries of our universe than through science? As it comprises multiple types and directions, there is a vast number of questions to answer.

We suggest you the following science research paper topics:

Paris climate agreement perspectives.
Ethical aspects of cloning .
Political science in the US: past and present issues.
Genetic engineering and cloning controversy .
The development of life on Earth .
The current state of nuclear energetics in America.
Nuclear weapon -free zones: a history and assessment.
Solid earth dynamics and the evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet.
Natural hazards : local, national, global.
Geophysical fluid dynamics: atmospheric dynamics, dynamo theory, and climate dynamics.
Data science as a key element of data-driven decision-making.
Robotics & mobility systems in agriculture: successful cases.
Legal models of space resources exploration and utilization.
The social context of recycling : factors influencing household recycling behavior.
Trends in consumer attitudes about agricultural biotechnology .
Theory of turbulence: a mathematical model that illustrates it.
Dual-mode infrared and radar hardware-in-the-loop test equipment.
Essentials of computational chemistry: theories and models.
Genetic algorithms in astronomy and astrophysics.
A fundamental relation between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies.

Social Science Research Topics

Sociology is an umbrella term that covers dozens of branches. It studies family, social movements, mass media, class theory, race, ethnicity, levels of income. We could go on and on.

As you can see, the options for research are endless. Don’t waste your time trying to understand the peculiarities of each social or cultural branch. Use our list of social science research paper topics for college students.

Social movements of 21 st century.
Strauss–howe generational theory in marketing.
Social media as a “hotbed” of narcissism .
The nutritional status of vegans and vegetarians .
Gender identity and community among three transgender groups in the United States: MTFs, FTMs, and genderqueers.
Social causes of anorexia in young women.
The civil rights in South America.
#BlackLivesMatter movement and its influence on society.
Gay marriage in America : current debates.
Dependency of the children mortality level on the anti-vaccination movement development.
Judaism in the first centuries of the Christian era.
School choice and segregation by race, class, and achievement.
The correlation between race and wealth.
Freedom and social status of blacks in America .
The problem of abortion .
Causes and effects of drug addiction .
Horizontal and vertical gender segregation in employment .
Effects of domestic violence on children.
The poverty level in the US: a retrospective analysis.
Women leadership and community development.

We are approaching the end of our ultimate research paper topics list. To wrap it up, let’s take a look at sports research ideas.

It has been present in our lives for a long time and is still developing. That’s why we need to answer new questions and build new knowledge. Explore the list below:

How does globalization affect sports?
History of doping scandals in the Olympics .
Team sports as a socialization tool for children.
The origin and history of ice hockey.
Organizational aspects of Paralympic games.
Aspects of independent Olympians at the Olympic games .
The unique history of Pelé.
Risk factors for injuries in football.
Short interval versus long interval training.
Sport as a communication medium .
Nutritional support of young athletes .
Mental training during competition preparation.
Philosophical conflicts between the practices of sport and cybersport.
Running as a treatment for heart diseases .
Typical traumas of soccer players.

After getting familiar with the list of topics, let’s discuss the essential steps before beginning research.

Narrow Your Topic

Let’s say you selected that one topic from the list. What’s next? It’s time to outline the boundaries of the research. It should not be too broad or narrow . Its scope must strictly correspond to the problem’s scope under exploration.

What is the difference between a narrow and a broad topic?

Let’s look at three research topic examples:

Eating Disorders. The topic is too general and comprehensive. If your research paper requires to be short, then there is no sense in choosing this topic. You better narrow it down.
Eating Disorders in Young Females. In this topic, we try to segment the subjected populations to specify the research question. It is still rather broad but more focused.
Anorexia in Young Females and Its Impact on Society. Here, we distinguish a particular type of eating disorder and leave a population segmentation. That is a perfect example of a narrowed topic. Now, it’s easier to ask specific questions, uncover insights and contribute to further research.

Focus on your narrowed topic and form a central research question. After that, research the existing data and find supporting facts. Don’t let your exploration be one-sided: explore different points of view. Compare and analyze counterpoints and draw conclusions.

After a profound studying, create a thesis statement to support your narrowed topic in a specific way.

To make things clear, use this step-by-step guide on finding and narrowing your topic.

Evaluate Sources

It takes a second to get access to billions of search results on any topic in Google. Most of the time, we jump through the first two or three links, and that’s it. If you seek quality, then it’s not the proper approach. You should acquire the skill of processing the sources.

What are the tips for source evaluation?

Forget about Wikipedia as a scientific source. Wikipedia is a free platform where any user can make edits. Extracting information from wiki without fact-checking isn’t a good academic practice. Great alternatives to Wikipedia are College e-libraries, scholarly databases, Google Scholar, etc.
Explore well-respected professional research journals. They contain up-to-date research data and conclusions which shape the most relevant views and understanding of what is going on in the modern world.
Visit libraries. We tend to overlook them in our digital era. But you can find super valuable sources for research there.
Avoid personal blogs, opinion articles, and self-published books . There can be heavy use of bias.

3 Main Tips on Writing a Thesis Statement

After you decide on a research topic and sources, it’s time to write a thesis statement.

Ask a question. Here are two options. In the first one, your professor can assign you a concrete question. If it’s not your case, then ask what interests you. What would you like to explore?
Give an initial answer. Try to answer the question before in-depth topic exploration. Work out some hypotheses.
Enrich the initial answer. Prove the initial hypothesis by detailing the research. Use the calculations and quantitative data to make your thesis credible.

To back up these tips, let’s look at a couple of example thesis statements from the StudyCorgi essay database:

#	Research topic	Thesis Statement	Outline
1		Although the U.S. commissions authorized to address police brutality against African-American men work to prevent such cases, it is possible to speak about the rise of the problem during recent decades in association with racial profiling, the well-known cases of police misconduct, and the development of actions to cope with the situation.
2		This paper is claimed to evaluate the strategies of Liberal and Social Democratic political forces aimed at the alleviation of gender inequalities. Originally, both strategies could not be regarded as successful. However, matters of gender inequalities are engrained in people’s minds, and often, it is rather difficult to undermine sexual prejudice from the minds. Still, there are more efficient methods of overcoming sexual disparity, and these instances will be analyzed in the paper.

You’ve just explored an ultimate list of research paper topic ideas and important steps to turn those topics into excellent research papers.

Did you find our topics compilation helpful? Save it for a future reference or share with friends!

What Is Research? — Hampshire College
Definition of Research — Western Sydney University
The Importance of Research to Students — Cleveland University Kansas City
Guidelines for Writing Art History Research Papers — UA Little Rock University
Areas of Research in Biology — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Environmental Science: Current Research — Herald Scholarly Open Access
Thesis Statements — University of North Carolina
Thesis Statement Tips — Purdue University
What Is Education Research — National Center for Education Research
Research in the Faculty of Music — University of Cambridge
Research: Religion and Society Specialism — University of Birmingham
Sociology Research Areas — Cornell University
Narrowing a Topic Idea — UCS Libraries
Developing a Research Question — The University of Arizona
Organizing Academic Research Paper — Sacred Heart University
How to Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper: Indeed
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200 Easy Research Paper Topics for College Students in 2021

Writing research papers is a must-do step in any educational process at college. In many cases, professors allow students to be creative with choosing a topic to complete this type of academic assignment. This privilege usually sounds great at first glance. However, thousands of learners might feel overwhelmed with a wide choice of interesting research topics they can find online.

The truth is that you can easily get lost in countless research paper topics available on different websites. Moreover, exploring and narrowing down the solutions for your essay might appear too challenging. The reason is that many research topics for college available online are outdated or contain too broad concepts for the research. To make your investigation process easier, we’ve collected a list of 200 new and innovative topics for composing an impressive research essay, presentation, or report. No worries if you have little writing experience or creativity - this guide will help you choose a fresh solution for your assignments in no time.

How to Choose Research Study Ideas for College Students

If the professor gives you complete freedom to pick up a topic, we have good news for you. Now, you can select a field or niche according to your individual preferences and background knowledge! There is no need to compose a boring paper that will make you yawn during the entire writing process. However, make sure you follow some basic rules of choosing good research paper topics below.

Stick to Your Favorite Topic

Are you fond of cars? Feel free to research the benefits and drawbacks of electric automobiles. Can’t imagine your life without sports? Explore the dope issue in professional sports. The key to developing a successful paper is to write about the topic that makes you feel excited. If you write about something you show zero interest in, the process will likely slow down and become more challenging. Therefore, always try to find something inspiring.

Choose Understandable Solutions

Many students are interested in modern technologies or space exploration. However, writing on these topics requires having advanced knowledge in the corresponding areas. Still, few learners can boast of having a deep understanding of artificial intelligence, computer programming, or space technologies. That is why it is better to look for easier and more comprehensive topics to write about. As a result, you will reduce the amount of time for research and cope with the college task faster.

Make Sure You Will Find Enough Information

When choosing ideas for a research paper, you need to make sure there are at least several reliable sources you can use for researching. The fact is that if you pick a truly out-of-the-box solution, you might fail to find enough relevant information about it. The same rule works for outdated topics. In case you select a played-out idea, you will hardly find new and up-to-date sources to support your idea. Here is a little hint for you: if you are looking for the relevant information for a chosen idea but fail to find anything suitable, it is better to change your topic.

Look for Clear and Understandable Concepts and Issues

When searching for the best research paper topics, don’t forget to think about your audience. What does it mean? The fact is that it is necessary to pick up a solution that is completely understandable for both you and the readers. In other words, avoid sticking to extremely difficult or complex topics that might make your audience feel confused. In case you use some specific terms in your paper that might be unfamiliar to the common reader, it is better to explain them briefly.

Try to Be Specific

Picking up too broad topics for research papers is one of the most common mistakes of hundreds of students. To avoid this issue, it is better to stay away from too general solutions that can be described from dozens of sides. Otherwise, you might go down in tons of diverse data and arguments you can use for your paper. Being precise and choosing only the most powerful facts are among the features of any successful student.

Look For Something Unique

Picking up topics for a research paper some of your classmates are also writing about is never the best choice. It is better to select an idea you will be able to describe from an unusual perspective. If you prefer to cover simple and comprehensive topics, it will be great to try an innovative approach to describing facts. However, don’t experiment with the paper’s structure and focus on providing exclusive and original arguments only. The best research academic papers are intriguing and inspiring.

Be In Trend

There is nothing new that trendy topics attract more attention from the audience. The reason is that they have a huge unexplored potential and amazing research opportunities. If you pick up an emerging topic, you will likely get higher grades for your academic assignment.

Simple Research Topics: Education

If you are still wondering which idea is the best one for composing your research paper, it might be good to write about education . The truth is that this topic is one of the easiest to write about. Moreover, you will effortlessly find countless relevant sources to support your ideas related to education. Feel free to grab one of these handy solutions you can put into practice when writing your academic paper.

Are Standardized Tests Good to Evaluate the Student’s Knowledge?
How to Make Education More Accessible for Students With Disabilities?
Should Tuition Become Free at All Colleges in the United States?
How Can Schools and Colleges Support International Students?
Becoming a Student and a Successful Businessman: Is It Possible?
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Education Sector
The Benefits of Social Networking at College and University
The Innovations in the Education System of the United States
Is It Possible to Start Building a Career During Studies?
How Can Schools Stop Violence Among Students?
Should American Learners Have a “Gap Year”?
The Analysis of the Finnish Education System
Homeschooling vs. Learning in the Classroom
British vs. American Education Systems
The Teaching Technologies of the Future
Should College Students Have a Part-Time Job?
Is There Any Discrimination at High Schools?
Should Schools Have Sexual Education Lessons?
Most Common Issues of Bilingual Education
Why Do Students Need to Learn Religion at School?
How to Stop Cheating on Exams
Student Loans: Pros and Cons
The Pros and Cons of Same-Sex Classrooms
The Development of Women’s Right to Education
Montessori Method: Advantages and Drawbacks
Effective Ways to Improve the Quality of Teaching
How Can the Issue of “Useless Classes” Be Solved?
Should Colleges Become Business-Driven?
How to Improve Modern Elementary Education?
Should School Children Wear Uniforms?
How to Stop Hazing at High Schools?

Unique Research Topics on Health

To put it short, these solutions remain topical among young learners for years. If you would like to select a comprehensive and brilliant solution for your research paper, choosing topics related to health might help you finish your essay fast. What to research? Here is a list of ideas you can start writing about right now.

The Impact of Drugs on the Human Body
How to Stop Consuming Too Much Junk Food?
How Much Fruit and Vegetables Should a Common Student Consume per Day?
The Correlation Between Mood and the Health of the Immune System
Is It Possible to Stop the COVID-19 Spread in All Countries?
Why Do Many Girls Suffer From Anorexia During Their Studies?
The Mental Issues of the Most Well-Known Criminals
The Impact of Classical Music on Overall Well-Being
Main Reasons for Facing Serious Allergies
The Importance of Regular Health Screenings
Ways to Prevent Serious Mental Diseases
Kids’ Vaccination: Advantages and Risks
Birth Control Issues in Developed Countries
The Impact of Breastfeeding on the Kids’ Health
The Impact of Insomnia on the Quality of Life
Most Effective Ways to Control Obesity
Top Reasons to Consume More Fats Regularly
Artificial Vitamins: Should Everyone Consume Them?
The Role of Nutrition for Maintaining Brain Health
How to Decrease Stress Levels of Teenagers
The Pros and Cons of Reconstructive Surgery
Acupuncture: The Hidden Health Benefits
The Most Important Aspects of Neonatal Nutrition
Impact of Emotional Stability on Human Health
Uncommon Solutions to Improve Short-Term Memory
Should Elementary Schools Have Homework?
The Psychology of Gifted People
Top Issues of Cardiovascular Care
How to Keep Your Brain Healthy
The Impact of Sports on Human Health
The Future of Natural Medicine
New Strategies for Coma Recovery
Basic Rules of Sun Safety
The Dangers of Low-Fat Diets
The Future of Antibiotics Therapies
Pros and Cons of Dietary Supplements
Non-Medical Cancer Treatments
Most Effective Ways to Make Your Brain Work Harder
Religion and Health
Benefits of Swimming
Eating Disorders

Easy Research Paper Topics: Environment

If you would like to follow the path of Greta Thunberg, it might be good to start your way with composing papers related to environment protection and ecology. Explore the main issues in this field and come up with an impressive research paper in a matter of a couple of hours.

The Main Dangers of Air Pollution
Greenhouse Effect: Myths vs. Reality
Ways to Stop Marine Pollution
Advantages and Drawbacks of Using Pesticides in Agriculture
GMO Products vs. Organic Food
The Importance of “Green Programs” in Developing Countries
The Problem of Radioactive Waste Disposal
Should Environmental Regulations Become Stricter?
Is the Problem of Global Warming Exaggerated?
The Problem of Water Deficit in Developing Countries
Ways to Protect Endangered Wildlife
How Can an Individual Help Save an Environment?
Why Should Children Learn About Global Warming?
The Advantages of Solar Technologies
The Main Dangers of Producing Too Much Plastic
How to Start Using Eco-Friendly Products?
The Changes in the Climate of Earth in the 21st Century
The Analysis of the Deforestation Levels in South America
How to Improve Access to Clean Water in All Countries Globally?
Is It Possible to Manage Overpopulation?
The Prospects of Nuclear Energy

Interesting Topics to Research: Technology and Media

Modern technologies are developing at a breakneck speed. The new solutions, apps, and approaches revolutionize different industries and elevate the quality of lives of millions of people. If you choose a nice solution about innovation and computing for your essay, you will definitely have a chance to attract the attention of the audience. Top research papers topics ideas are right here below!

The Possible Ways to Develop Artificial Intelligence Systems
How Will Smartphones Change in the Near Future?
The Benefits of Cloud Solutions in Storing Data
Top Areas to Use Drone Technologies
Ecommerce Solutions vs. Local Retailers
Online Currencies and Their Impact on the Global Financial System
How to Avoid the Dangers of the Dark Web?
Will Self-Driving Cars Become Common in the Future?
Privacy Issues Online
The Future of Blogging
Online vs. Offline Communication
Will People Colonize Mars?
Nanomedicine: Myths and Realities
Online Payments and Paper Money
Breaking the Sound Barrier
Is Social Media a New Technology?
Technologies That Might Impact Human Behavior
Safest Ways to Store Information in the 21st Century
How Do Modern Technologies Allow People to Work From Home?
The Impact of Modern Technologies on Globalization
The Perspectives of Online Gaming
The Impact of Advertisements on Kids and Teens
Newest Technologies Used in Surgery
Internet Addiction and the Ways to Prevent It
Censorship Control

Hot Topics for Research Paper: Family and Communication

Family is an essential part of our lives. How to set up healthy family relationships? What is the role of parents in raising children? Feel free to use any of these ideas for your research paper. By the way, good research topics related to communication are also collected in this paragraph.

Marital Rape and Its Impact on the Personality
Impact of Divorce on Kids and Teens
How to Stop Abusive Relationships?
How to Make Your Children Happier?
Effective Ways to Solve Conflicts in Families
How to Improve Communication Between Siblings?
Role of Grandparents in Raising Children
Lack of Communication Between Family Members
Why Do Children Kill Abusive Parents?
The Impact of Parents’ Depression on Their Children
Happy Childhood and Leadership
Advantages of Having a Big Family
Drugs and Alcoholism in Modern Families
Impact of Home Life on Child Development
Do All Children Need to Respect Their Parents?
The Criticism of Freud’s Theories
Important Parental Rights
Gender Roles in the Family
Basic Family Values
Domestic Abuse

Easy and Interesting Research Paper Topics

Many students face difficulties when choosing an idea for composing an academic paper. If you are not good at writing on education, health, business, or family relationships, it might be great to search for something more exciting. Here is a list of diverse topics you might find good-looking.

The Role of International Health Organizations in Modern Society
Corporate and Business Laws: Most Common Issues
Why Do Many People Watch TV Shows and Series?
Future of Chinese Economy
The Future of Video Streaming Services
Women’s Rights in the Modern World
How to Support Global Peacekeeping
Gender Stereotypes in Advertising
Classical Hollywood Cinema
Landmark Court Decisions
Possible Ways to Use 3d Printers
Portrayals of Superheroes in Movies
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Top Tips to Writing a Winning Research Paper

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Why fewer young men are choosing to pursue college degrees

Geoff Bennett Geoff Bennett

Mike Fritz Mike Fritz

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Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-fewer-young-men-are-choosing-to-pursue-college-degrees

College enrollment among young Americans has been declining over the past decade. That decrease is mostly driven by fewer young men pursuing degrees. A Pew Research study finds about one million fewer young men now enrolled in college compared to 2011. Geoff Bennett took a closer look at why for our series, Rethinking College.

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Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.

Geoff Bennett:

Now to our second story, about who is going to college.

Enrollment among young Americans has been declining over the past decade, that decrease mostly driven by fewer young men pursuing degrees. A Pew Research study finds there's about one million fewer young men now enrolled in college compared to 2011.

We took a closer look at why. That's the second part of our focus tonight on Rethinking College.

Tomorrow morning, in Brentwood, New York, Yordi Velasquez will graduate high school. But like a growing number of young men, college isn't in his immediate plan.

Yordi Velasquez, High School Student:

I started looking to college a little too late, and I couldn't decide on what I wanted to do. I didn't know where I would get the money from. And I just think it'd be better if I started working immediately.

Raised by a single mother who also cares for his disabled brother, Velasquez says he plans to become a certified HVAC technician. He hasn't ruled out going to college one day, but says it simply doesn't make sense right now.

Yordi Velasquez:

The fact that I would have to pay even though I don't know what I want to do, and that I might not even get a job in the field that I want.

He's not alone. Last year among high school graduates in the U.S., only 57 percent of men have enrolled in college. That's compared to 65 percent of women.

It's a trend that dates back nearly three decades. Every year since 1996, women have entered college at higher rates than men.

Richard Reeves, Author, "Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It": The education system as a whole doesn't seem to be working quite as well for boys as it is for girls.

Richard Reeves is the author of "Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It."

Men are falling behind in education. The education gap is bigger now than it was back in 1972, when Title IX passed. What accounts for that?

Richard Reeves:

The main reason for that is that, it's through the education system, girls are outperforming boys. So you can see it from the beginning from kindergarten all the way through high school.

And so if you look at, for example, high school GPA, which is a very good measure of success, take the top 10 percent of high school students. Two-thirds of them are girls. That obviously affects what's going to happen in the college system too.

Today, men make up only 42 percent of undergraduate students. And for young men of color, the gap is especially alarming.

There are now 50,000 fewer Black men enrolled in college compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Roderick Carey, University of Delaware: I think that college is becoming a tough sell for a lot of men, not necessarily because college isn't a compelling idea, but rather because there are so many other competing factors that might be equally, if not more so desirable.

Roderick Carey is an assistant professor at the University of Delaware. He studies how Black and Latino adolescent boys experience school. Carey says, for the young men he works with, problems often begin long before college.

Roderick Carey:

Black and Latino boys grew up in a society that stereotypes them as non-academic, as socially threatening, and many of those types of stereotypes shape how their educators engage with them in schools.

More women than men now have college degrees, according to U.S. census data, and they're more likely to graduate within four years compared to men. It's led some colleges to target male students as a group in need of extra support.

Jonathan Koppell, President, Montclair State University:

We're not pretending the problem doesn't exist. We're trying to address it on.

Jonathan Koppell is president of Montclair State University.

How do you craft a program that works to help men that doesn't come at the expense of women?

Jonathan Koppell:

Oh, I don't think that this is a matter of either/or, and I don't think this is a matter of putting the needs of female students second. I think it's a matter of asking the basic question, why do we see differential graduation rates when we sort by gender and race? And that's where you really start to see this gap widen.

More than half of Montclair State students come from under represented groups, and men make up just 40 percent of total enrollment.

So what are some of the consequences if more young men choose not to go to college?

There's so many consequences. I don't think that means everybody should get a four-year degree. I don't think college is for everyone.

But if you look at the data, the data says, in terms of income, in terms of health, in terms of happiness, in terms of life satisfaction, your odds are better with a four-year degree.

In 2022, Montclair State launched what's known as the Male Enrollment and Graduation Alliance, a task force that's now developing programs that aim to recruit and retain more men.

Danny Jean, Associate Provost for Educational Opportunity and Success Programs, Montclair State University: So if you're experiencing any level of instability in your life, you are not alone.

Danny Jean, the university's assistant provost for special programs, helps lead the initiative. Last spring, he welcomed 300 high schoolers from nearby cities in New Jersey. For many, it was their first time on a college campus.

Danny Jean:

Please give all of them a round of applause.

For Jean, who grew up in inner-city Newark and later earned a Ph.D., it was a chance to share his own story.

My family moved over 12 times before I graduated from high school. We were actually homeless at one time. I had to move with family members.

I graduated high school with a 1.9 GPA, a teacher that told me I wouldn't be alive to see 25, alcoholics in my family, drug users in my family. So this work is very personal for me.

So what have you found that works? What's the key to providing access and then once students do get admitted making sure that they're successful?

They really need to understand the benefit of college and help them understand exactly what college can offer and be able to map out what their plan is beyond high school.

Coming here was tough freshman year.

And beyond academic help, Jean says some of the men also need social and emotional support once they arrive on campus. He meets often with a student organization that aims to do just that.

Ikenna Onyegbule, Montclair State University:

Brotherhood has allowed me to be confident.

Ikenna Onyegbule and Nyron Mitchell help lead this group known as the Brotherhood.

Ikenna Onyegbule:

So it's important that men get support from each other, because we don't get it enough. And everybody bottles in their emotions. You have to keep this persona of being a tough guy.

And it wasn't until I got here until I figured that that's not the way to go.

Nyron Mitchell, Montclair State University:

In the future, I want young men to realize is, it's like it's OK to come out your comfort zone. When you come out your comfort zone, at the end of the day, when you walk in that stage in May, you're going to be grateful for it.

Last month, Mitchell did graduate with a degree in family science. Ikenna, a business administration major, will do the same later this year.

They say, beyond the degree, college is already paying off.

Professionalism, time management, respect among others, how to work with other people, all of that you can learn in college if you do college the right way.

Meantime, back in Brentwood, New York, Yordi Velasquez says he's comfortable with his own decision.

I feel like I'm entering a new chapter of my life, and it's always exciting. I have always wondered what it's like to be a grown-up, so now I get to experience it.

As colleges around the country try to figure out why so many young men are choosing a different path.

Listen to this Segment

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Geoff Bennett serves as co-anchor of PBS News Hour. He also serves as an NBC News and MSNBC political contributor.

Mike Fritz is the deputy senior producer for field segments at PBS NewsHour.

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CAREER FEATURE
25 June 2024

How researchers navigate a PhD later in life

Elizabeth Landau 0

Elizabeth Landau is a science writer based in Washington DC.

You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Krista Bresock sitting on top of a skate ramp wearing roller skates, graduation cap and gown

On a roll: Krista Bresock celebrates in her local skate park after graduating with a PhD in mathematics from West Virginia University, Morgantown, aged 41. Credit: Michael Germana

Krista Bresock sat crying in her professor’s office. She had to discuss one of five questions with her professor, in person. It was the concluding step of her final exam in functional analysis, the last course that she needed to complete for her PhD in mathematics. He’d shuffled a set of five cards, and she’d picked Card Number Two — corresponding to the one problem that she had not fully studied.

Unlike her fellow students studying intractable maths problems, Bresock was in her late thirties redoing coursework that she had failed years earlier. As a full-time maths teacher at West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown, she could find time to study only during nights and weekends.

“Problem Number Two was just collateral damage to being able to maintain this life of work full-time and be in grad school full-time,” Bresock remembers. She “fell to her knees” in relief when, a week later, she learnt she’d still got an A- in the course.

Many think of doctoral degrees as the domain of people in their twenties. Yet according to the US National Science Foundation, 17% of people who gained a PhD in science or engineering in the United States in 2022, the most recent year for which figures are available, were aged 36 or older . In some countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Portugal, South Korea, Iceland, Greece and Israel, the median age for entering a doctoral programme is 32 or higher, according to 2017 data from the OECD in Paris 1 .

Resources for mid-career scientists

A PhD requires a vast commitment of time and energy, often lasting five or more years. Stipends, when available, are often lower than salaries for other full-time jobs or professions. What’s more, students might have to move to another city, or even a different country, to attend their chosen course. Although difficult for any age group, those constraints can create different challenges for prospective students in their thirties, forties and beyond than for their younger colleagues.

At the same time, age often brings wisdom and self-confidence, qualities that can help older students to cope with a strenuous academic life. “The extra ten years that I was out doing other things gave me a lot of perspective and maturity to the way in which I think and live, and I think that was a big reason why I’ve succeeded,” says Peter Swanton, a 36-year-old graduate student working towards a doctoral degree in astrophysics at the Australian National University in Canberra.

Motivation is key

For Bresock, a doctoral degree represented “unfinished business”. She had struggled with alcohol and drug addiction from the age of 16, but hit a dangerous low point in early 2013, when she was a graduate student at WVU the first time round. She dropped out and checked herself into an in-patient programme, but still drank heavily afterwards. With the support of friends, family and Alcoholics Anonymous, she became sober in July 2013.

Bresock then taught maths at WVU, first as an adjunct and then as a full-time instructor, but she didn’t forget her incomplete doctorate. Finally, at the age of 37, she re-enrolled. “This little voice was like, ‘You have more to say. You have more to do. You have this thing sitting on the back burner that is kind of eating away at you,’” she says.

Despite her drive to finish the degree, motivating herself was “really hard sometimes”, she says, “because if I didn’t finish, no one would care: I would just not finish and still have this job and be fine.” One of her top tips for others looking to pursue a doctorate in mid-life is to fully understand and reflect on their motivations. If the goal is “more money”, that might not be enough, she says.

Before returning to his studies, Swanton held a variety of jobs, including hauling sugar cane, working in nightclub security and tutoring in secondary schools. He has this advice for anyone who’s considering a doctorate: make sure you’re “doing it because you love it”. For him, that has meant finding ways to combine telescopic investigations of cosmic objects, such as active galactic nuclei, with preserving folklore about the cosmos from the Gamilaraay, the people of his Aboriginal culture.

Peter Swanton preparing a telescope in an observatory dome at dusk

Peter Swanton, a 36-year-old graduate student in cultural astronomy at the Australian National University in Canberra, says that his previous work experience has given him the maturity to cope with the strains of academic life. Credit: Lannon Harley/ANU

Swanton’s heritage influences both his academic interests and the way in which he wants to communicate them. For example, the Gamilaraay language was originally a purely oral one. So, rather than just writing “a big block of text” for his dissertation, Swanton says that he would like to include elders and community members telling their own stories, and to bridge their knowledge with the Western understanding of the universe.

“My success has come down to finding something I am passionate about, and not concerning myself with future employability, which was the focus of my earlier attempts at academia and ultimately the reason why I didn’t succeed” at the time, he says.

Finding mentors

María Teresa Martínez Trujillo arrived at the Paris Institute of Political Studies to embark on a graduate programme in political science at the age of 32. Having spent her whole life up to that point in Mexico, she felt isolated from her classmates because of linguistic and cultural barriers, in addition to being the oldest student in her cohort. Martínez Trujillo had already had a career in the Mexican government, including working as an adviser to the secretary of the interior, yet she felt “less brave” than younger students, and had many more questions about reading materials.

She also felt ashamed about her lack of fluency in French. Over time, with the help of a therapist, she learnt to be less judgemental of herself and to overcome her impostor syndrome. Classmates helped her to proofread some of her assignments and she focused on improving her language skills.

María Teresa Martínez Trujillo looking at a map whilst sat next to a fence near a church in Paris

Cultural and linguistic barriers left María Teresa Martínez Trujillo feeling isolated from her peers when she arrived from Mexico, aged 32, to embark on a graduate programme at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Credit: Hiram Romero

Martínez Trujillo’s advisers — Hélène Combes and Gilles Favarel-Garrigues — were key for her as she dived into reading and fieldwork on the relationship between drug trafficking and the business world in Morelia, Mexico, for her master’s project. “They let me go to the ‘forest’ and spend time and lose myself,” she says, adding that when she felt lost or stuck, her advisers helped her to find her way.

Time and money

Finances often pose a problem for graduate students who don’t already have savings and support, including those who have worked previously. Even with tuition covered, and a stipend to help towards living expenses, making ends meet can be challenging, especially for students who have other financial responsibilities, such as providing for family members or maintaining a home.

Martínez Trujillo received a stipend, but she spent almost all of it on rent and didn’t want to ask her family for money. She worked as a nanny, consulted for a Mexican think tank and spent summers working in Mexico on friends’ projects. “I’d never have free days,” she says.

Bresock wishes she could have spent more time away from both work and studies. “I did a terrible job of that. Make sure you make time for yourself. That dissertation will still be there, if you go take a walk, or if you go swim or whatever, for an hour out of your life.”

Training: Data Analysis: Planning and Preparing

Like Bresock, Marc Gentile kept a full-time job while doing his PhD in astrophysics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne in his mid-to-late-fortiess. He needed to earn enough to support both himself and his wife, and to address other financial responsibilities.

“The top advice would be establishing effective work and study habits right from the start,” he says. “In my case, time was the most precious resource, and I had to be very well organized to make the most of it.”

Gentile would work on his doctoral assignments from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. each weekday, before leaving for his day job. He would then read articles while commuting by train, and tackle more PhD tasks or further reading in the evenings. “I was told that I was, on average, more productive and better organized than most other, younger students, because you develop such skills when you work professionally,” he said.

Family matters

When Wendy Bohon walked across the stage to receive her doctorate in geology, she was nearly 38 years old and pregnant with twins. She wound up at Arizona State University in Tempe after beginning her career as an actor, and then becoming fascinated with earthquakes after one shook her apartment in 1999.

For her dissertation, Bohon conducted fieldwork in India on two large fault systems, focusing on how fast they had been moving, their intersections and their frequency of earthquakes — as well as the growth of mountains around them — over the past 34 million years. Today, she heads the Seismic Hazards and Earthquake Engineering branch of the California Geological Survey in Sacramento.

Wendy Bohon wearing a graduation cap and gown whilst visibly pregnant

Wendy Bohon was nearly 38, and pregnant with twins, when she graduated from Arizona State University in Tempe with a PhD in geology. Credit: Linda Bohon

As a student, her desire to expand her family had put her in a different life stage from younger peers. She had met her husband, who already had a young daughter, while in her graduate programme. And whereas her classmates had wanted to avoid pregnancy, she had struggled to conceive. “That emotional disconnect and the difference in their reality and my reality — it was really tough,” she says. Ultimately, she and her husband chose to try the intensive process of in vitro fertilization, which Bohon mostly kept secret. At the same time, she was helping to co-parent her husband’s daughter, and the couple were given full custody of the girl when she was seven.

Bohon coped with parenting and finishing graduate school with the help of “a built-in village of people around who could step in to help us”. Other graduate students would play the card game UNO with the girl, or colour pictures with her. And Bohon’s mentor, along with the mentor’s husband, became the child’s godparents.

“In a lot of ways, it was easier to parent during my PhD, because my schedule was relatively flexible, so I could stay home with her when she was sick, or attend school functions,” Bohon says. What’s more, she adds, “having a kiddo that needed me helped me to set and keep healthier boundaries than I think I would have otherwise”.

Charlotte Olsen, a postdoctoral researcher in astrophysics at the New York City College of Technology, earned a PhD at the age of 42 and now investigates the factors that influence star formation and galaxy evolution. Olsen says that working on her doctorate presented challenges for her marriage. “I’m not gonna lie: grad school is really rough on a relationship,” she says — adding that, especially at the beginning, “it’s an incredibly stressful time”.

Among the responsibilities that older students might have is taking care of ageing parents. Olsen recalls that during her qualifying exams, she hadn’t heard from her mother, who was 76 years old at the time, for a while. She assumed that her mother wanted to give her space during that stressful time. Later, she found out that her mother’s appendix had ruptured, necessitating surgery and a stay in a hospital’s intensive-care unit.

Through it all, Olsen’s spouse was an invaluable source of emotional support. “Having somebody who is there with you along the way” helps a lot, she says.

What happens next?

Not everyone who gets a PhD stays in their field. Gentile, now 60, works as a data scientist for a Swiss television station. He had a postdoctoral research position for five years after graduation — but for several reasons, including financial ones, he could not find an academic job afterwards. “If I had really wanted to continue in astrophysics, then I would have had to move abroad; it’s difficult now,” he says.

Still, Gentile found the PhD experience rewarding and worthwhile. As well as acquiring problem-solving techniques, he learnt coding and data-science skills, such as machine learning and statistical methods. And he has used all of these in subsequent jobs, including his current one.

His graduate work also remains relevant. Some of the algorithms and software that he worked on during his PhD helped to inform the tools that scientists will use to analyse data from the European Space Agency’s Euclid observatory, which aims to explore dark energy and dark matter.

Bresock received a promotion at West Virginia University after earning her PhD in maths in December 2022, aged 41. Her dissertation examined how students understand the definite integral, a fundamental concept in calculus, when solving different kinds of problem.

Today, she has greater empathy for her own students because of her own struggles as a graduate student. Finishing her doctorate remains one of her most satisfying accomplishments, she says. “When people ask me what’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my life, it’s: get sober, and then, finish my PhD. That’s a close second.”

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02109-x

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Education at a Glance 2019: OECD Indicators (OECD, 2019).

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Top 300+ Ideas For Research Paper Topics in 2024

Updated 14 Jun 2024

Some say the most difficult part of writing a text – is to start. But topic selection even precedes this starting point. This activity takes off a lot of time, and sometimes imagination just doesn’t work in your favor. That’s where our list of best research paper topics will come in handy.

We collected the most unhacked and powerful ideas to turn the average piece of writing into a research paper . Discover what is a research paper and how to choose suitable and interesting research topics with our help.

Writing a research topic on your own requires either producing one from scratch (based on your interests and goals and potentially, on some brainstorming) or getting inspiration from a number of sources, like preassembled topic lists, course material, teachers, real life, news headlines, published research in the respective field, etc.

What are the 3 Types of Research Questions?

Before formulating your research questions ideas, note that there are 3 important types of research questions:

descriptive – these employ careful and comprehensive observation of a phenomenon/ event, subject, trait, etc. in order to characterize it in detail and to potentially reveal important/ interesting/ undescribed aspects or patterns.
causal – these investigate whether altering some variables leads to changes in other variables suggesting a causal relationship.
comparative – these look into similarities and differences between two or more entities

What is a Good Research Paper Topic?

Features that tend to characterize good research questions are as follows:

specific and concrete – investigation goals and (expected results) have to be clear and focused
original – investigating aspects/ entities/ relationships that have not been researched before
highly important/ impactful for community/ society/ a professional field.
highly relevant for potential readers/ reviewers
trending – emerging disciplines/ topics spark more interest due to their novelty and yet unexplored potential

College Research Paper Topics

The bias in the selection of the college internships and scholarships
The problems of reverse discrimination in post-college employment
Should multicultural education concepts be implemented at a greater depth?
The drug and alcohol abuse on college campuses
Does social media help students to find appropriate information and learn?
The psychological disorders and the support groups in modern colleges
Should people with ADHD and Autism be separated from the other students?
The art of college political campaigns
Pros and cons of religious colleges
Should college athletes be paid and provided with additional advantages?
The Influence of Social Media on College Students' Academic Performance and Well-being
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Online Learning Platforms in Higher Education
The Role of College Education in Fostering Entrepreneurial Skills
The Impact of Student Loan Debt on Career Choices Among Graduates
Analyzing the Shift in College Admissions Criteria in the Post-COVID Era

Health Research Paper Topics

The challenges of deafness and communication difficulties among special needs students
The concept of global health security
The ways to decrease household air pollution
How the information about infectious diseases is distributed online
Should people be allowed to know more about climate change issues?
The privacy factor and the personal health issues
The role of fitness ads in exercising practices
The healthy food standards are not always unbiased
The role of social media in the medical care system
The psychological aspect in the perception of allergies
The Long-term Effects of COVID-19 on Respiratory Health
Mental Health Outcomes of Prolonged Social Media Use Among Adolescents
The Efficacy of Plant-based Diets in Preventing Chronic Diseases
The Role of Telemedicine in Improving Accessibility to Healthcare
Analyzing the Impact of Sleep Quality on Daily Cognitive Functioning

Research Paper Topics on Medicine

Is life-sustaining therapy needed when it’s futile?
The role of placebo treatment
How to avoid animal testing?
Pros and contras of medical marijuana
Is being a vegetarian useful for child’s health?
How obesity affects our health?
Vaccines for kids: their usefulness or damage
Should prescription drugs be advertised directly to consumers?
Do doctors turn their patients into drug addicts?
Advancements in Gene Editing: Ethical Implications and Future Prospects
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostic Medicine
Personalized Medicine: Tailoring Drug Therapies to Genetic Profiles
The Impact of Microbiome Diversity on Human Health
Stem Cell Therapy: Current Applications and Ethical Considerations
The Challenges and Successes of Vaccine Development in the 21st Century

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Education Research Paper Topics

How can standardized tests improve education?
Does college graduates make more money?
Should education be cheaper?
How will modern technologies change the way of teaching in the future?
The creation of particular learning methods for blind children
Social networking and school
Metal detectors at schools
The effects of contemporary teaching methods
The role of technology in lesson planning
How to manage bullies and take actions against bullying at education institutions?
The Effects of Bilingual Education on Cognitive Development in Children
Evaluating the Long-term Impact of Early Childhood Education Programs
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Special Education
Standardized Testing: Measuring Intelligence or Memorization?
The Influence of Teacher-Student Relationships on Academic Achievement

Read also: 150+ Best Sociology Research Topics

Environmental Research Paper Topics

How to reduce global warming?
How to stop wasting paper and save trees?
Can overpopulation be managed?
Should more films about environmental issues be produced?
Human impacts on forests
Underground effects of earthquakes
How to elaborate the optimal adaptation of buildings threatened by hurricanes?
Is it possible to predict hurricane impacts?
Is nuclear power safe for humans?
How dangerous is GMO food?
Assessing the Impact of Urban Sprawl on Local Ecosystems
The Effectiveness of Plastic Ban Policies on Ocean Health
Carbon Capture Technology: Viability and Potential in Mitigating Climate Change
The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Biodiversity Conservation
Analyzing the Environmental Consequences of Fast Fashion

Research Topics on Entertainment and Sport

Are social networks good for our society?
Do violent video games make kids angry and cruel?
Is it necessary to forbid using animals for entertainment?
Do beauty contests set the non-achievable beauty standards?
Are newspapers going to be replaced by online sources of information?
How gaming consoles influence the youth?
Should women be allowed to compete against men?
What television programs should be banned?
How tv shows impose fake moral standards?
Can the use of social media, such as Facebook, lower teens’ self-esteem?
The Psychological Impact of Competitive Sports on Young Athletes
The Influence of Celebrity Endorsements on Consumer Behavior
E-Sports: The Rise of Competitive Gaming and Its Recognition as a Legitimate Sport
The Role of Sports in Promoting Intercultural Dialogue and Understanding
The Economic Impact of Major Sporting Events on Host Cities

Research Paper Topics on Media and Communication

Should the media programming of ads aimed at children be made illegal?
The role of mediation in the media
Should bloggers be considered as journalists?
The ethical side of modern news reports
The freedom of speech online
The copyright law restrictions and the vague concepts
The importance of psychology and communicative skills in journalism
The role of gender in interpersonal communication
The modern standards of nonverbal communication
The negative influence of Instagram and body image distortion
The Evolution of News Consumption: Impact of Social Media on Traditional Media
The Role of Media in Shaping Public Opinion During Political Campaigns
The Ethics of Surveillance and Privacy in Digital Communication
The Effects of Smartphone Usage on Face-to-Face Communication Skills
Virtual Reality: The Future of Immersive Journalism

Research Paper Topics on Politics

Should the drinking age be lowered?
Should adults have the right to carry a concealed handgun?
More gun control laws should be enacted
How can the international community prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons?
How can ethnic killings be stopped?
Current prospect for peace between Israel and the Palestinians
What world would be like without wars?
How to avoid workforce reduction?
Should the death penalty be allowed?
Is socialism possible?
The Influence of Social Media on Political Mobilization and Public Protests
Campaign Finance Reform: The Effects on Political Representation and Elections
The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Shaping Global Policy
The Impact of Populism on Traditional Political Party Systems
Cybersecurity in Elections: Protecting the Integrity of Democracy

Psychology Research Paper Topics

Is autism a disease or a development idiosyncrasy?
How to forecast and shape behavioral patterns?
How to manage child violence?
How to deal with a mental breakdown?
The impact of classical music on the work of the brain
How insomnia affects our health?
How bad dreams influence our mood?
Is stress really harmful?
How depression impacts the immune system?
Intellectually gifted people: how is it possible?
The Psychological Effects of Social Isolation in the Digital Age
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Mindfulness: Comparative Outcomes in Treating Anxiety
The Role of Resilience in Recovery from Trauma
The Impact of Parenting Styles on Child Personality Development
Neuroplasticity: How Learning and Experience Shape Brain Function

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Science & Technology Research Paper Ideas

How is light being used to treat cancer and other diseases?
What is the current evidence that Mars has had water and maybe life?
Can nanomedicine potentially extend the human lifespan?
What is the future of computing and artificial intelligence?
The role cryogenics may play in future
Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?
Is it beneficial for wild animals to have interactions with people?
What evidence do we have that CMB is the result of the big bang?
How will self-driving cars change the way people live?
Can using system like bitcoin help protect identity theft?
The Potential of CRISPR and Gene Therapy in Curing Genetic Diseases
Nanotechnology in Medicine: The Next Frontier for Drug Delivery Systems
The Role of Quantum Computing in the Future of Cybersecurity
The Ethical Implications of Humanoid Robots in Society
Renewable Energy Technologies: Assessing the Efficiency and Sustainability of Solar Power Solutions

Research Topics Ideas on Culture

A new comprehension of past events
The origin of racial discrimination
The roots of antisemitism
The impact of advertisements and commercials on modern art
The most remarkable cultural achievements of the 20th century and their influence on our society
Cultural revolutions throughout history
How pop culture trends influence youth?
Should pregnant celebrities be exposed on magazine’s covers?
Why was Greek cultural influence so important for the ancient Mediterranean world?
Why was the Victorian period a time of cultural change?
Cultural Impact on Climate Change Response: A Comparative Study
The Preservation of Folklore and Oral Traditions in the Digital Age
Cross-Cultural Communication: Overcoming Language and Ethical Barriers
The Influence of Globalization on Indigenous Cultures
Cultural Diplomacy and Its Role in International Relations

Research Paper Topics on Math

The influence of algorithms
Is it possible to build a winning monopoly strategy?
Why is 'x' the unknown?
How math changed the world?
What's the solution to the McDonald's math problem?
How do math geniuses understand extremely hard math concepts so quickly?
Should high school math contests be banned?
What is the relationship between music and math?
Are math formulas ever used in real life?
What are some of the most confusing math problems ever?
The Role of Mathematics in Cryptography and Cybersecurity
Mathematical Models in Predicting Pandemic Outcomes: A Case Study of COVID-19
The Application of Game Theory in Economic and Social Decision Making
Chaos Theory and Its Implications in Weather Forecasting and Climate Science
The Impact of Big Data on the Evolution of Statistical Methods and Theories

Research Paper Topics on Business

How do dirty business tactics work?
Can business be started without money?
Notorious business leaders
Entrepreneurship and family business
Ethical decision making in everyday work situations
What are the most effective strategies for promoting a small business?
Is it worth it to expand the business into a new region or country?
How to build a successful startup
The role of international business and sustainable development
The impact of climate change on international business strategies
Corporate Social Responsibility: Measuring the Impact on Business Performance
The Gig Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for the Modern Workforce
Innovative Business Models in the Age of Sustainable Development
The Influence of Organizational Culture on Employee Productivity and Satisfaction
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Shaping Consumer Behavior and Marketing Strategies

Research Paper Topics For Middle School

Is going vegan the healthiest choice for you?
Is the greenhouse effect artificial or natural?
The causes, effects, and consequences of earthquakes
How much computer games can one play without getting addicted
Princess Diana and her dynasty
Why is competition so critical for humans?
How did poetry evolve?
Methods used by ancient sailors to navigate the globe
Gender roles in children’s books and cartoons
Who is the greatest general who has lived on the planet?
The Science Behind Video Games: How Gaming Affects Reflexes and Learning
The History and Cultural Significance of a Popular Holiday
The Impact of Recycling Programs in Schools
Animal Habitats: How Urban Development Affects Local Wildlife
The Role of Social Media in Modern Communication Among Teens

High School Research Paper Ideas

The ways to address drug addiction cases in high school
The physical vs digital communications
The body image and the K-Pop culture
The importance of school volunteering and social work
The changes to the academic process due to Covid-19
The legacy of the Trail of Tears
The role of motivation in becoming a better student
The role of books in print and the libraries
The ways to improve school safety
The role of parental involvement in school work
Exploring the Psychological Effects of Social Media on Teen Self-Esteem
The Physics of Sports: Analyzing the Science Behind Athletic Performance
Climate Change and Its Effects on Local Ecosystems
The Evolution of Language in the Digital Age
The Rise of Cryptocurrency: Economic Education and the Future of Money

History Research Paper Topics

What were the impacts of World War II on the rights of women?
What factors initiated the WWII
Is liberalism the most optimal solution?
What were the consequences of women suffrage movements
What was the impact of Martin Luther King’s protest against the Catholic church
What is the most effective military strategy of all time
How has Asian art influenced contemporary art
How have different monetary systems affected the development of humanity
What is the correlation between the Roman and Greek culture?
Aztec empire and its architecture
The Role of Women in World War II and Its Impact on Gender Roles
The Influence of the Silk Road on the Cultural Exchange between East and West
The Effects of the Cold War on Space Exploration Competition
The Historical Accuracy of Popular Historical Films: A Case Study
The Impact of the Printing Press on the Renaissance and European Society

Art Research Paper Ideas

The reasons why digital museums must be present and made available
The peculiarities of the Flemish artists
Should Japanese anime be considered as a separate art form?
The role of Photoshop and similar digital solutions in the perception of modern art
The history of photography and the artistic expression forms
The challenges of the modern artists during social distancing times
The Middle Eastern perception of color and the light
Ancient Rome's role in the creation of the sculptures
Should the artists be allowed to represent their works in public parks?
The importance of art education in middle schools
The Evolution of Street Art and Its Acceptance into Mainstream Art Culture
The Influence of Digital Media on Traditional Painting Techniques
The Role of Patronage in the Development of Renaissance Art
The Psychological Impact of Color in Abstract Art
Cultural Representation and Diversity in Modern Art Museums

Literature Research Paper Topics

The American dream literature
How does harry potter reflects the ideal of the time
Can you show a new aspect of prose based on the independent investigation
The prose of women suffrage movements
The dawn of literature on modern society
Why do authors use metaphors and similes
Evaluate and discuss the allegory of 2 random novels
What factors are helpful in allowing you to identify the genre of a novel you are reading
Is fanfiction considered an independent literature
Romance and sex in Renaissance
Fiction as an instrument of propaganda
The Representation of Gender Roles in Victorian Literature
Postcolonial Voices: How Literature Has Shaped National Identity
The Journey Motif in Classic American Road Novels
Dystopian Visions: What Modern Dystopian Literature Tells Us About Today's Society

Law Research Paper Topics

How is the Islamic law perceived around the globe
Is ECOLEX a pathway to environmental law
Why is it critical to learn the GATT documents?
What does the European patent office do?
Mass communication law
Impact of women’s authority in different countries on the planet
Evaluate the effectiveness of the international criminal law court tools
Detailed analysis and report of the comparative criminal procedure
Exciting outtakes from the inter-American human rights library
Does the US copyright office really help writers defend their businesses?
The Impact of International Law on Human Rights Practices in Developing Countries
Cyber Law: The Challenges of Regulating Online Behavior and Privacy
Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age: Balancing Innovation and Protection
The Effectiveness of Rehabilitation in Juvenile Justice Systems
Comparative Analysis of Gun Control Legislation and Its Impact on Violent Crime Rates

Religion Research Paper Topics

The Role of Religion in Modern Secular Societies
Interfaith Dialogue: Benefits and Challenges in a Pluralistic Society
The Influence of Religious Beliefs on Ethical Decision-Making in Business
Religion and Politics: An Analysis of Their Intersections in Contemporary World Affairs
The Impact of Religious Education on Tolerance and Cultural Understanding
The Evolution of Religious Practices and Their Adaptation in the Digital Age
The Psychological Effects of Religious Rituals and Traditions
Comparative Study of Creation Myths Across Different Cultures
The Role of Women in Organized Religions: A Historical Perspective
Secularization: The Decline of Religious Influence in Western Societies
Religious Extremism: Understanding the Causes and Seeking Solutions
The Impact of Pilgrimage on Religious and Spiritual Life
Religious Symbols in Public Spaces: Freedom of Expression or a Call for Regulation?
The Relationship Between Religion and Morality in Contemporary Ethical Debates
The Effects of Globalization on Indigenous Religions and Spiritual Practices

Argumentative Research Paper Topics

Should education be made free for everyone?
The influencers and bloggers cannot be considered as a job
The role of military service is the way towards maturity
Should Internet access be limited during college lectures?
The death penalty service is not an ethical solution
Fashion industry creates a bad influence on young people
The Fairplay concept should be rewarded financially
Should tobacco be made illegal indoors?
Religious differences often become the cause of wars
The majority of mobile applications represent the invasion of privacy
Universal Basic Income: Economic Savior or Road to Dependency?
Mandatory Vaccinations: Public Health Requirement or Personal Choice Infringement?
The Death Penalty: A Necessary Deterrent or a Violation of Human Rights?
Climate Change Policies: Economic Hindrance or Long-term Investment?
Animal Testing in Medical Research: Ethical Consideration or Scientific Necessity?

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How to Choose a Good Research Paper Topic?

While it may seem challenging to come up with a good research paper topic as you try your best to narrow things down, the trick is to choose something that influences you because you know it well and can support your arguments with relevant evidence. The subject should be well-structured and relevant to your thesis statement. Always take time to research the list of sources to compose your topic sentences as well to make them relate to your thesis part. It’s always best to check a good research paper introduction example before you start working on the paper and choosing your topic, or contact our essay writing service for help. Here are the steps to consider:

Start With Observing Your Interests.

If you are confused with a variety of interesting topics for writing a creative essay, it’s better to decide what interests you the most. Don’t stick to easy research paper topics just to complete the task fast. If you are allowed to freely choose what to write an essay about, use the opportunity to create something unique. Write down the list of your interests and break down every idea into small certain topics. When you have a list in front of your eyes, it will be easier to make up your mind and start considering a particular issue.

Then you should examine what aspect of the topic is preferable for you to outline in your research paper . A list will save you here again. Use pros/cons template to include all the arguments and objections to the issues.

Come Up With an Argumentative Research Question.

The most challenging part of choosing a competitive research paper topic is finding an aspect that poses some importance for your course and the subject per se. While it may seem that it is sufficient to make a general statement, your argumentation should include a clear research question. Consider asking yourself why you have chosen a particular topic and how your research will make it clearer or provide innovative solutions.

Study Available Research Topic Ideas.

Since we have already mentioned the dangers of choosing something too broad, it is vital to narrow things down and brainstorm the list of possible research paper ideas that deal with the same subject. In other words, you can write down at least five different subjects and see whether you can find sufficient information to support them with the sources or statistical data. Remember the importance of your topic’s wording!

Compose Strong Thesis Statement.

It must be done at the same time as you choose your research paper topic because these two concepts must be interconnected. Your subject must reflect your main idea of the thesis statement. Make sure that you have the list of sources prepared in advance to incorporate relevant information in your body paragraphs. As always, they must be the supporting evidence for your thesis statement’s idea and the research purpose.

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Written by David Kidwell

David is one of those experienced content creators from the United Kingdom who has a high interest in social issues, culture, and entrepreneurship. He always says that reading, blogging, and staying aware of what happens in the world is what makes a person responsible. He likes to learn and share what he knows by making things inspiring and creative enough even for those students who dislike reading.

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College Students and Eating Habits: A Study Using An Ecological Model for Healthy Behavior

Giovanni sogari.

1 Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; [email protected]

2 Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA; ude.llenroc@7gim

Catalina Velez-Argumedo

3 Tecnológico de Monterrey, EGADE Business School, San Pedro Garza García 66269, Mexico; [email protected]

Miguel I. Gómez

Cristina mora.

Overweightness and obesity rates have increased dramatically over the past few decades and they represent a health epidemic in the United States (US). Unhealthy dietary habits are among the factors that can have adverse effects on weight status in young adulthood. The purpose of this explorative study was to use a qualitative research design to analyze the factors (barriers and enablers) that US college students perceived as influencing healthy eating behaviors. A group of Cornell University students ( n = 35) participated in six semi-structured focus groups. A qualitative software, CAQDAS Nvivo11 Plus, was used to create codes that categorized the group discussions while using an Ecological Model. Common barriers to healthy eating were time constraints, unhealthy snacking, convenience high-calorie food, stress, high prices of healthy food, and easy access to junk food. Conversely, enablers to healthy behavior were improved food knowledge and education, meal planning, involvement in food preparation, and being physically active. Parental food behavior and friends’ social pressure were considered to have both positive and negative influences on individual eating habits. The study highlighted the importance of consulting college students when developing healthy eating interventions across the campus (e.g., labeling healthy food options and information campaigns) and considering individual-level factors and socio-ecological aspects in the analysis.

1. Introduction

Overweightness and obesity rates have dramatically increased over the past few decades and they represent a health epidemic in the United States, as well as in many other areas of the world [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. According to a scoping review of risk behavior interventions in young men, Ashton, Hutchesson, Rollo, Morgan & Collins [ 4 ] identified obesity as a serious health risk with an incidence rate of obesity reaching 29% of the population aged 20–39 years old [ 5 , 6 ]. Physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits are among the main behaviors that potentially have adverse effects on weight status in young adulthood, and consequently, the future health of adults [ 3 , 7 ].

As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) [ 8 ], the adult disease burden is due to health risk behaviors that start during adolescence (e.g., unhealthy eating practices). For example, most of the United States (US) population does not consume the recommended daily amount of fruit and vegetables, nuts, and seeds. On the other hand, the consumption of added sugars, processed meats, and trans fats is higher than the recommended daily intake [ 9 ]. It has been shown that after the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, when independency increases, young adults are continuously challenged to make healthful food choices [ 2 , 10 ]. Along with unhealthy eating behaviors, a new series of weight-related behavioral patterns begins throughout this period, such as excessive alcohol consumption and a low level of physical activity.

Substantial life-changing transitions happened when young adults finish high school to start college or a working life [ 10 ]. According to the literature [ 11 , 12 , 13 ], university is a critical period for young adults regarding food choices and their relationship with weight gain. Some studies have even shown that college students tend to gain more weight than those who do not attend university [ 14 ]. In order to design and support healthy nutrition campaigns (e.g., less meat options) across campuses, it is critical to improve knowledge of dietary behaviors in the university-age population [ 15 ].

In the last decades, there has been growing interest in the development and implementation of health promotion interventions in the workplace [ 16 ]. Studies exploring eating behavior in children [ 17 ], adolescents [ 18 , 19 ], and young adults [ 20 ] have been done in recent years; however, theories to explain such behaviors are still moving from the nascent to the mature stage [ 21 ].

Recently, the so-called Ecological Model has been considered as an acceptable framework to link individual and social behaviors with environmental determinants, to reduce serious and prevalent health problems [ 22 ].

The aim of this study is to explore the barriers and enablers of healthy eating behaviors among US college students, using focus groups that foster open discussion between a small number of participants. This study is the first stage of a larger research project called “CONSUMEHealth. Using consumer science to improve healthy eating habits”, funded bythe European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and Innovation programme (Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 749514).

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. focus groups.

We selected focus group interviewing as a key methodology for the study, the elements of which include participant observation, formal and informal interviewing, filming, and recording, among others [ 23 ]. Focus groups are used to obtain insights and in-depth information on why and how people think (perceptions, attitude, opinions, experience) about a topic of interest [ 24 ] used to unlock the complexity of the decision-making process [ 25 ] and unencumbered by what we expect to find [ 26 ]. In our study, a focus group was suitable, since we were aiming to obtain cultural insights from a group of individuals, and to explore their beliefs and behaviors [ 27 ], allowing for us to examine the context of healthy eating behaviors [ 16 , 28 ]. Various studies have demonstrated that focus groups are an appropriate research method to study eating habits, particularly among students [ 2 , 29 ]. Since the definition of this population was not just a matter of age, but of lifestyle and identity, a focus group could help us to better understand the meanings of healthy eating behaviors and its contexts.

2.2. Participants

Eligible participants were college students aged 18 to 25 years, who were transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood, who lived in the USA, and who were enrolled at Cornell University in the town of Ithaca (New York, NY, USA). Similar to previous studies [ 29 ], no first-year university students were included in the study, due to their limited college experience. In addition, we excluded students from nutrition classes or any other disciplines that might transmit a greater overall knowledge or awareness of healthy eating. The final group consisted of students from different disciplines (humanistic and scientific). These young adults were recruited via flyers that were distributed across the University facilities, and via email using a college student database. In the advertisement sheet, a link to an online survey was provided to facilitate recruitment, and to give subjects the essential statement outline of the study (aim, benefits, and risks that are associated with time, incentives, other). One advantage of our approach was that it allowed us to recruit participants from different disciplines and years of study. In addition, we chose to have mixed-gender groups, which could produce a greater variety of responses and better discussion [ 29 ]. The interview guideline was designed to take participants on a journey, starting from a broader concept of health, to more specific questions on past, present, and future diet behavior practices.

2.3. Procedure

The recruitment of participants was carried out using an online system at Cornell University. A recruitment rate of between six and eight participants per focus group session was planned, in order to have at least four people in each focus group session, therefore, an over-recruitment of two students was planned in the case of ‘no-shows’.

Following the literature [ 29 ], a semi-structured question guide was developed to identify the key questions for the research problem (eating habits, physical activity levels, and weight change). Enough flexibility and side-questions allowed for open discussions within the group, to obtain more in-depth information from participants.

Projective techniques were used both at the beginning of the sessions for “ice-breaking”, and later on to understand better emotional connections and cognitions towards the topic of interest [ 30 ]. Specifically, the photograph response test technique was used, which consists of showing a series of photographs that are related to the topic under investigation. A stimulus (images of obese/overweight individuals) was presented to the group, and the participants were asked to answer with the first words that came to their mind.

As reported by Guerrero and Xicola [ 24 ], the integration of different qualitative techniques (e.g., projective stimuli as in this study) within the same focus group was considered to be a mixed approach. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance of Cornell University (Protocol ID: 1709007406).

2.4. Data Collection Outline

During the online prescreening registration, all of the participants completed a short questionnaire, providing self-reported socio-demographic information, physical activity, height, weight status, and perceived body image.

Before beginning the focus group, an information sheet about the study and a consent form for anonymity and confidentiality were signed by each participant. Drinks and a few snacks were provided in order to make the environment as much comfortable as possible. In addition, the room that was used to carry out the discussions was modified to look like a living room of a house.

As suggested in the literature [ 28 ], each focus group lasted around 90 min, and it was held in a comfortable and quiet place. The sessions were video-audio recorded with the permission of the participants, and were facilitated by a well-trained and experienced moderator (female moderator with five years of experience in focus groups in the field of food, both in the public and private context). The principal investigator was an observer, and stayed in another room that was connected with audio and video recording systems during the focus group discussion. The moderator directed the flow of the discussion, and ensured that all of the important issues were covered. We opted for small groups (4–6 people), which was considered to be more appropriate when the topic of investigation is seen as complex and personal [ 31 ]. Both the principal investigator and the moderator did not have any type of relationship with the participants; we strongly believe that no bias or conflict of interest exist between the research team, the subjects, and the focus of the study.

The semi-structured questions guide ( Table 1 ), as developed following Krueger and Casey [ 27 ], aimed to investigate the main factors influencing eating behaviors among college students. First, a projective technique was first used for “ice breaking”, and to facilitate the group discussion. At the beginning, all of the participants were asked to list “five healthy eating habits” and “five unhealthy eating habits”, and afterwards to read the list out and share it with group. In this way, the whole group was actively involved in the discussion, and participants became acquainted with, and felt connected with each other. The main questions focused on factors influencing students’ health and weight-related behaviors. Before ending each of the focus group sessions, the moderator and principal investigator decided whether further questions were needed. At the very end of the focus group, all of the subjects chose to either receive a monetary payment ($ 15) or university course credit (1.5) for their participation.

Short version of the Focus Group questions guide.

Question Type	Questions
Opening and warm-up questions	Presentation of the research topic and participants (demographic characteristics and some general eating habits like “what do you have for breakfast?)
Introduction/Projective techniques	Could you list five habits related to healthy and unhealthy eating? Could you mention the first types of food/food products you consider healthy?
Transition questions (to move into and between key questions)	How do you think the concept of healthy eating has changed? Were you involved in cooking preparations in the past? What changes happened in your cooking habits since you started college?
Main key questions	What different eating behaviors do you have between eating out and at home? What is for you the meanings of the word “healthy” and “unhealthy”? What is your eating behavior to stay healthy? What are the consequences of having a healthy eating behavior? How may have the community (e.g., colleges) impacted on your healthy and unhealthy habits? How can a parent/guardian positively/negatively influence on children’s eating behavior?
Projective technique (i.e., showing images of overweight/underweight adults/children)	What comes into your mind (e.g., thoughts) when you see these images on obesity, overweightness, and a healthy body weight?
Ending	Are there any other opinions related to the topic? Is there anything else you would like to share?

2.5. Data Analysis

In the field of health studies, the use of focus groups for research is a relatively recent phenomena [ 28 ]. The information resulting from focus groups is usually analyzed throughout a process of categorizing and coding the data in a systematic manner.

At the end of the six focus group sessions, the audio tapes were transcribed verbatim in Microsoft Word by an independent transcription agency, and they were double-reviewed by two researchers. Second, the data collected were analyzed by the principal investigator and two research assistants who were trained in qualitative analysis. All quotes were encoded using the computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software Nvivo11 Plus Version 11 (QSR International Pty Ltd., Melbourne, Australia) [ 32 ]. This software helped the researchers at the stage of data analysis, marking, and coding the transcription, and helped them to identify the relations between categories (concepts, themes, and ideas) and individuals [ 28 ].

An inductive thematic approach, which is useful for identifying core meanings that were relevant to the research objects, was used for data analysis, in which quotes were coded and categorized into themes and subthemes [ 25 , 33 ]. These themes were organized into individual, social, and environmental categories using an Ecological Model framework [ 16 , 22 ], and were successively described. A Microsoft Excel package was used to analyze the characteristics of the sample using responses from the questionnaire (descriptive statistics).

3.1. Descriptive Results

In our study, six focus group discussions were conducted until saturation of new information was reached. The final sample consisted of 35 students (23 females), with a mean age of 20.4 ± 1.5 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.2 (SD ± 4.52), which was calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m 2 ). Most participants considered themselves to have a healthy weight status, and few of them indicated current or past eating disorders. The characteristics of the sample are summarized in Table 2 . Participants were also from a variety of study disciplines and different college years (from junior to senior). This variety in participant characteristics enormously contributed to gather more insights (e.g., diverse experiences and opinions) into the relationship between behaviors and healthy eating.

Characteristics of focus group participants ( n = 35).

Group Characteristics	Responses	%	Mean ± SD
Race/ethnicity	White/Caucasian Asian (excluding South Asian) African American South Asian	80 11 6 3
Gender (female)		66
Age (years)			20.4 ± 1.5
Body Mass Index (BMI)			23.2 ± 4.5
Field of study	Business Scientific Humanistic Info not provided	42.9 34.3 14.3 8.5
Students with an extra job	Job No job Info not provided	42.9 40 17.1
Physical activity
	No exercise	15.2
	Exercise 1 time per week	21.2
	Exercise 3 times per week	42.4
	Exercise 5 times per week	21.2
Self-assessment weight status
	Underweight	9.1
	Normal weight	66.7
	Overweight	21.2
Population Area (size of the city)
	<5000 inhabitants	15.1
	Between 5000 and 50,000 inhabitants	27.3
	>50,000 inhabitants	57.6

3.2. Qualitative Results

Following the literature [ 31 ], the researchers reviewed the transcript line-by-line encoding and classified the text. As a first step, the questions that were enclosed in the script were used as initial categories, then during a rigorous and systematic reading of the transcript, the main categories started to emerge [ 33 ]. The researchers used an inductive coding method to find meaningful messages to categorize into main themes and sub-themes.

The information was then analyzed in conjunction with the Ecological Model conceptual framework. The importance of the Ecological Model in the social sciences is the consideration of interactions between the people’s behavior and the environment (sociocultural, policy, and physical) [ 16 , 29 ].

With the results from this model, we developed a list of factors influencing healthy eating behaviors among college students, based on content analysis of the focus groups ( Figure 1 ). We adapted a model by Deliens, Clarys, Bourdeaudhuij & Deforche [ 29 ], and then developed the following main levels for the analysis: individual (intrapersonal), social (interpersonal relationship), and university environment (community settings), and some main attributes of the students (e.g., gender). The most significant quotes by respondents were reported to illustrate each (sub)theme. We also decided to incorporate some basic information of the participants by using an ID for the quotes: e.g., FG1_F21 (Focus Group 1, Female, age 21 years old).

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Factors influencing healthy eating behaviors of college students.

3.2.1. Individual Level (Intrapersonal)

Intrapersonal factors are represented mainly by attitude, behavior, self-concepts, and skills [ 16 ].

Healthy Eating: Meaning, Perception, and Consequences

Research shows that individuals’ beliefs about a healthy diet is shaped by their psychology. Understanding what healthy eating means is crucial to making healthy food choices across and within product categories. Participants seemed to be aware of healthy eating habits: “ For me, healthy eating is eating clean. So, lots of fresh veggies and fruits and some sort of protein ” (FG1_F20); however, they were also aware that they did not necessarily follow this suggestion: “ Things (healthy food) that help fulfil your daily nutrition requirement, even though I obviously don’t do that ” (FG1_F20).

There was a gap between having knowledge and actually practicing it: “ … now I feel like I’m more aware of it (healthy eating), I just don’t pay attention to it ” (FG5_F21). In addition, they highlighted how the meaning of healthy eating had changed over the past decades: “ when I was a kid, I definitely thought it was more ... just eating less, ... now I understand that it’s more eating the right things, and not necessarily eating less, but just eating different stuff ”(FG1_F21).

During the focus groups, the term “healthy” itself proved to be quite elastic: “ I think about getting a lot of balance ” (FG3_M23) and it was perceived to have changed overtime: “ before, it was all about portion control, eating smaller things, but now, it’s focused more on eating healthy things ” (FG1_F20). Most participants considered their generation to be more health-aware and more health-conscious than the previous ones. However, others believed that today, it is harder for people to eat healthy because there is so much fast food available. For someone whose parents taught them during childhood, healthy eating remained an important factor for the future: “ my mom told me when I was a kid, healthy eating is if your plate is colourful, so sometimes when I went through that little phase where I was trying to eat really well at the dining halls I’d be like, carrots, orange, tomatoes, red, I’d get a bowl of blueberries, blue. You’d try to get every colour on your plate and that’s healthy ” (FG5_F19).

Participants were aware of the long-run consequences of not maintaining a healthy diet: “ It’s risk for diseases, increasing your risk of dying earlier ” (FG4_F19); “ you have less health problems, for the most part, that are related to your diet. You probably have more energy, honestly, because processed stuff sort of slows you down ” (FG1_F20). In particular, a male participant reported: “ I think that America has this epidemic, which is obesity. And I know that leads to a whole bunch of complications, especially the demographic that I am. I understand that our life expectancy isn’t as high as other demographics, and that’s due to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stuff like that ” (FG2_M20).

They also considered “eating healthy” as something that was related to a lifestyle with positive consequences to the general mindset of the individual: “ I think healthy is feeling good about yourself, having energy, and not being exhausted all day ” (FG2_F18); “ I think healthy goes beyond just food, you have to be mentally healthy and physically healthy ” (FG2_F19); “ I tend to like healthy food, it makes me feel better ” (FG6_M22). More generally, people related the concept of being healthy to both physical and psychological status: “ I think being healthy is both your physical appearance and your mindset… exercised and eating food, as well as balancing it out with your mental state ” (F2_M20).

We used a projective technique to create more interaction and interest on the topic. Images of overweight/obese people were shown, and participants were then asked what thoughts came into their mind. Most participants felt uncomfortable with describing these images. Some of them thought that being heavily overweight or obese could be attributed to not having control over their own lifestyle: “ I feel bad for them, because I know the probably inside, they are not happy with themselves, but it’s all your personal choice ” (FG3_M19). At the same time, there was a feeling both of sadness for them, but also a willingness to not judge other people’s weight status. Only one person mentioned that body image was a motivator in maintaining healthy eating: “ I want to be in a good shape, and I think that’s what motivates me ” (FG4_M21).

Eating Habits (Healthy and Unhealthy)

Every participant was asked to list five healthy and five unhealthy eating habits on post-it notes and then share it among the groups ( Table 3 ). First, snacking was associated most of the time with unhealthy eating, as mentioned by several participants: “ I’m trying to eat a heavier breakfast so that I snack less throughout the day ” (FG1_F21); “ I have snacks late night, mostly, if I’m going to snack at all, it’s generally junk food ” (FG4_M19). Only a few of them tried snacking with an healthy option: “ I don’t mindlessly snack, but when I do snack, it’s always something healthy like nuts or fruit ” (FG4_F19). Some participants did not seem conscious of having three meals a day, but preferred to have smaller snacks consistently throughout the day and being portion-aware: “ I try to eat like four to five times a day like smaller meals as opposed to just like breakfast, lunch and dinner ” (FG3_M23). Regarding drinking habits, surprisingly, alcohol consumption was not mentioned as an unhealthy drinking habit; but more attention was focused on the most common daily drinks (i.e., water, coffee, and soda). One female participant said: “ I like carbonated drinks, like sugary drinks that I should probably stay away from ” (FG1_F21). Many people were aware that a high sugar-sweetened beverage intake was associated with greater weight gain.

Top 12 self-reported healthy and unhealthy eating habits of the participants.

Healthy Eating Habits	Frequency ( )	Unhealthy Eating Habits	Frequency ( )
Consumption of fruit and vegetables	26	Irregular meals	25
Drinking water	13	Sweet food (i.e., dessert, ice-cream, candy, chocolate)	21
Balanced diet	12	Unhealthy snacks	15
Portion control	8	High salty and fat food (i.e., fried food) intake	13
Having breakfast	8	Overeating	10
No sweet food	8	Skipping breakfast	10
No oils/fat (e.g., less sauces)	7	Over protein consumption (i.e., too much meat, eggs)	5
No processed food (i.e., whole food)	7	Eating disorders	5
Regular meals	7	Low water consumption	5
Protein consumption	7	Drinking soda	4
Self-prepared meals	6	Low fruit and vegetable consumption	4
Healthy snack (i.e., nuts)	5	Coffee consumption	3
Other		Other

Notes: “Other”: eating habits that have been mentioned only one or two times. The researchers decided not to report them.

The participants were asked about why American consumers do not follow the dietary guidelines given by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Most of them mentioned that nowadays there is a greater availability of unhealthy foods: “ I think there’s a lot more junk food now than there was then, and it’s also way cheaper than getting healthy food ” (FG1_F20); “ I think junk food is way more accessible than going out to get healthy food ” (FG1_F21); “ sometimes people just don’t have access to food in their neighbourhood ” (FG6_M22).

Food Preferences

Food preferences are highly complex, personal, and influenced by a broad variety of factors, especially physiological. Even if health seemed to be important for everyone, when choosing food, students did not take health into consideration as the most important factor, but usually pleasure and taste. As one participant said: “ I think unhealthy food just tastes better. I don’t know, if a food tastes good to me, I have thoughts of, "Is this unhealthy?" Because I feel like healthy food just doesn’t taste as good ” (FG2_F19). Likeability as a first factor for choosing food was confirmed by another student: “ I think unhealthier food just tastes better to everybody ” (FG2_M20). Another participant highlighted the importance of the pleasure of eating: “ I really like pasta, like a lot, it’s pretty much what I eat every day. I put hot sauce on everything ” (FG5_F19).

Healthy Activities

Almost all of the participants mentioned that they had been very busy since they started tertiary education, and that this was a barrier to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They remembered that exercising was as a big part of family time: “… me and my two brothers and my dad, we started going to the gym. So we’d go to the gym like every weekend ” (FG2_M20); “ I play a lot of soccer with my dad ” (FG3_M19). It is clear the role of parents in incentiving activities to stay healthy: “ my parents were also very encouraging of me and my other siblings with doing sports ” (FG6_M21). Nowadays, due to time constraints associated with being a college student, it was more difficult to stay active. The statement “ not keeping junk food in the house ” was repeated by several students as a way to avoid the temptation of eating unhealthy foods, as was having small snacks throughout the day rather than designated meals. They were also aware about overeating, and few of them believed themselves to be good at controlling portion sizes: “ I try to get individual packages, so I have portion control ” (FG2_F18).

Food Preparation and Knowledge

In order to eat healthy, consumers must have some knowledge about food, healthful products, and the composition of a meal, among others. During the focus groups, participants were asked about changes that they had made in their cooking habits since they had moved from home. Some of them realized how negative the changes were in terms of eating healthy: “ the first time I lived outside of home wasn’t good. I ate out twice a day, every day, which is really unhealthy and really expensive. So now I’m trying to cook more, which is good. I feel like I’m healthier when I’m cooking it myself ” (FG1_F21). Others confirmed how expensive it is to eat out frequently: “ Well I didn’t cook at all when I was at home. So just off campus, it’s cheaper to cook than eating out every night, so I’m just trying to cook more ” (FG1_F21).

Students were asked their involvement in preparing food when living with their parents, the majority declared to have never helped in the kitchen or only during holiday meals. One participant shared a personal experience: “ Only for Thanksgiving or Christmas I would usually make a dessert or something like that. Cake or cookies ” (FG6_M21).

When asked to elaborate more on a healthy diet and give examples, few students had a vague idea of what the Mediterranean diet was about: “ I’ve definitely heard of it before, but I don’t ... is it like, only eating certain Greek, Mediterranean ingredients? ” (FG2_F19), and most of them had not even heard of the term before.

Time, Price and State of Mind

The transition from living at home to the college experience was considered to be stressful. Most of the participants mentioned a problem with stress eating, especially when studying; as one participant said: “ … I definitely snack too much when I’m stressed ” (FG4_F19). Another one: “ I work too much. I don’t take the down time to exercise. I like to snack a lot. I use food to regulate my mood ” (FG6_M22). Almost all participants believed that they did not have enough time to prepare healthy meals. The “lack of time” appeared to be an important barrier: “ I don’t have time to be going to the grocery store to just get fruit and healthy things ” (FG1_F20). Time constraints also made students skip meals: “ …then sometimes I will eat at random hours during the day, including sometimes I’ll have to skip lunch if I just don’t have enough time, which I can see the effects, it just makes me really tired, it’s not good for working out ” (FG4_F19).

Also, the relative perception of the high costs of buying healthy food (i.e., fruits and vegetables) was one of the main barriers to a varied diet [ 2 , 34 ]. For many students: “ junk food is way cheaper than getting healthy food ”; as one female participant specified: “ it can be hard to afford healthy food, because no matter what healthy eaters say about how easy is to find cheap, healthy food, it’s always probably gonna be cheaper to find heavily processed junk food ” (FG1_F20). Another female participant with Asian origin confirmed with her personal experience that: “ it’s very abnormal in America that the fruit and the vegetables are much expensive than the meat, because back in China the vegetables and fruits are very cheap, so everyone can have access to that ” (FG5_F24).

3.2.2. Social Level (Interpersonal Relationships)

Social relationships in early adulthood are predominantly formed with roommates and friends at college, as well as with family members, even if with a lower frequency with the latter. The perception of social pressure was a strong determinant in supporting and maintaining a healthy diet [ 35 ]. As one participant said in relation to healthy eating: “ What you eat and who you’re around is really influential ” (FG2_F20). Another one confirmed this point: “ Seeing if someone’s eating really unhealthy, you can be like: "I’m going to be the one to eat healthy tonight", or if everyone’s eating healthy, you feel more inclined to eat healthy ” (FG2_F20). Sometimes, it was also the influence of the partner that could make a person change their dietary habits.

Parental Feeding Behavior

Respondents were asked about how parents can negatively and positively impact a child’s eating behavior. They agreed that it was difficult for kids and adolescents to learn about eating healthy if their parents did not influence and teach them: “ I think as a child, you look up to your parents a lot, so instead of verbally saying, "Eat healthy, blah blah blah…" you actually have to show it ” (FG2_F19).

One student explained that sometimes there was a risk that the parents were too busy to take care of their children’s diet: “ If parents are too busy or they don’t have the income and also the time, if they’re working too many jobs, you know, they’ll just get packaged food or processed foods and that could definitely have a very negative effect ” (FG6_M21). As a result, the parents prefer to give them money to buy food away from home and most of them choose junk food or fast food: “ if I’m with my friends, I can kind of get away with my mom not knowing what I’m eating. So I tend to eat what I can’t eat at home, so always unhealthy ” (FG1_F21).

These young adults believed that parents should give a good example (i.e., not going to a fast food place). Most of the students mentioned the role of the mother as a relevant figure for giving good recommendations: “ my mom has always ingrained the healthy eating thing in me ” (FG1_F20); “ when I was younger ... even now, my mom only has healthy food available for me. And if I ever shop with her, she doesn’t let me buy snacks or sweets ” (FG1_F21). The participants who mentioned that their parents were good at cooking, and liked preparing foods from different cultures, also realized that they should not be really picky in their food choices. Others reported that their parents used some tricks to make their children to eat healthy food: “ I think my parents just seasoned my vegetables so it would taste better. And that way I wouldn’t really have to think about me eating vegetables ” (FG4_M20). Other students experienced a more ambiguous and controversial approach with food: “ We weren’t allowed to leave the table until I finished my food ” (FG4_F21); in this case, sometimes their mothers were part of the "Clean Plate Club”, a club where parents are used to asking their children to finish everything on their plates.

Dietary Aspects of Home, School, and Eating Out

Respondents were asked what different eating behaviors they had between eating out and at home. Even if young adults ate in a variety of different settings, especially after living with their parents, the number of times eating out strongly increased. For instance, eating at home was usually correlated with higher fruit and vegetable intakes. However, many participants said that eating out was a kind of relief where all food desires could be satisfied: “ I tend to eat what I can’t eat at home, so always unhealthy ” (FG1_F21); “ when I’m eating out "I might as well treat myself" and treat myself for nothing ” (FG4_F21); “ when I lived at home, I would always eat really healthy, so whenever I go out, I tend to eat a lot of junk food ” (FG1_F21). One participant’s personal experience confirmed that: “ usually when I go out with my friends or family, I eat just such trash food. And restaurant food to begin with is already so caloric, and then you just add on top of it, let’s get appetizers and desserts ” (FG4_F19).

High school had also a strong determinant on eating habits; most of the time, eating in secondary school was related with a negative experience: “ a lot of times in high school I just ate chips, because I just hated my school lunch, it was pretty bad. But I think if the school lunch is the only thing that’s available to you, it’s definitely going to affect what you’re eating and how you’re eating ” (FG4_F21). Several students reported that they did not feel that the school meal was healthy, due to limited choices. One remembered: “ we always used to joke about saying that pizza counted as a vegetable, we had to get a vegetable but pizza counted, so we’d always get pizza ” (FG4_M19). However, almost all of the participants agreed that nowadays, schools are getting more involved in providing healthy options than in the past: “ I think our school definitely they had healthier options ” (FG5_F19).

Friends and Media Pressure

Young adults are often influenced by their peers for many habits, and also when eating behaviors are involved [ 29 ]; as one male participant, who had a high frequency in activity level and played in a team, said: “ there is just so much social pressure to eat healthy around other people ” (FG3_M23). As one female student reported: “ I think every girl has this kind of thing and you have some pressure from your friends and if you will see them wearing beautiful dresses you want to lose weight or something ” (FG5_F24). Another explained: “ I think general rule of thumb, if you see people [friends] that look healthy, that we tend to ask someone, what do you eat? How do you do that? ” (FG5_M21). Usually, meals with friends tended to be not healthy: “ when I’m with my friends in the evening we do tend to eat heavier meals, which make me feel pretty sick the next morning ”. However, for someone else, the experience was the opposite: “ I think the big thing that changed for me was when I came here at Cornell, I saw other people and their eating habits, and some of them were eating lean or eating healthier, and I tried to pick up on some of those too ” (FG4_M21).

Many participants raised concerns about the role of television and other mass media on how an adolescent or young adult should look: “ I just feel like in the media, you see all these images of celebrities and their body type is glorified, so you just want to eat healthier to look like that ” (FG4_F19). In addition, they also considered advertisement on TVs for candies and other sweet foods to be negative communication on what to eat, as one participant said: “…there’s all these ads on TVs for candies and stuff like that… kids would rather have the bright colors, the fun candies and stuff that aren’t necessarily healthy” (FG1_F21).

3.2.3. University Environment and Student Life

Besides human physiology, the physical environment is also another element that can strongly shape our food choices [ 36 ]. In general the surroundings where you are living can strongly determine your diet: “ I also think like your environment that you’re in and that like you’re constantly in really affects how you eat ” (FG3_M19).

The university environment could have both a positive and negative influence on eating habits, as one participant explained: “ I think if the community is driven to be healthier, then I think once you’re in that environment, it tries to influence you to be healthier. And seeing other people around you eat healthy and want to be healthier is a big influencer on changing your habits. And vice versa ” (FG2_F20). For example, most of the students thought that the dining halls strongly influenced their eating habits. Some students started to eat irregularly when starting college: “ I eat irregularly, like sometimes for dinner I just don’t want anything in the dining halls and I’ll just eat cookies or the ice cream ” (FG5_F19); “ I probably eat more meat at college, I don’t know, just a lot of food ” (FG5_F19). When asked what events could make a person gain or lose lots of weight, someone said that going to college made people gain weight: “ having that sort of unrestricted freedom of being able to choose whatever you want to eat, and also having a meal plan where it’s like an “all-you-can eat” buffet ” (FG1_F20). One participant shared a personal experience and said: “ I need to go eat every meal at the dining hall. And once you’re at the dining hall, you have unlimited food, so I feel like I overate a lot in the dining halls. And now living off campus, I’m able to just buy what I want to cook, and sometimes I cook all my food at once. So I can plan, this is for lunch, this is for dinner. So I can do better with portion control ” (FG1_F21).

For some other students, especially athletes, having the dining hall always available and close to the dormitory or workplace was instead an advantage: “ it was good to have the dining halls right there so you could kind of eat whenever you wanted to. So it helped me stay healthy and had a good eating pattern for that kind of lifestyle. And then, I think once when I got off campus, it’s like harder to keep up with good eating patterns ” (FG6_M21). Student life could be a critical period regarding unhealthy changes in lifestyle behaviors: “ I also sometimes skip lunch when I have class or studying to do, and a lot of times when I’m studying I also eat junk food, try to keep myself awake ” (FG4_M21).

Table 4 summarizes the main barriers and enablers that are associated with health decisions during college life.

Summary of the main barriers and enablers to a healthy diet among college students ( n = 35).

BARRIERS	ENABLERS
Not exercising Not eating healthful food Time constraints Unhealthy snacking Convenience food Bad mood & stress High prices Junk food home availability	Maintenance of healthy lifestyle Healthy eating habits Food knowledge and education Meal planning Involvement in food preparation Physical activity Being portion-aware
Parental food behavior and influence Friends pressure and influence Low food culture	Friends pressure and influence Parental food behavior and influence
College’s dining services Availability of high-calorie food and fast food	College’s dining services

Source: own elaboration.

4. Discussion

Using an adapted version of an Ecological Model used by Deliens et al. [ 29 ], we developed a framework that included individual (intrapersonal), social (interpersonal), university environment (community settings), and students’ life factors as influences affecting eating habits. This model integrated individual healthy and unhealthy eating patterns, in combination with the main barriers and enablers that are associated with health decisions during college life. Many researchers [ 4 , 15 , 37 , 38 , 39 ] identified a great number of factors that may contribute to the malnutrition epidemic, and related health problems (e.g., weight gain and other dietary disorders) in emerging adulthood: unhealthy eating habits increased when young adults leave their home circumstances, such as lower consumption of healthy options (i.e., fruit and vegetables), irregular meals (e.g., breakfast skipping), and increasing intakes of unhealthy snacks and other “junk food” (e.g., fried food). For college students, the transition phase from living at home to living alone/with roommates during the period of postsecondary education, is one of the most important life changes, and many food choices are deeply involved in this change.

As indicated by other authors [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 35 ], the most common factors that are reported as barriers to a healthy diet are time constraints, the high price of food items, and their availability, followed by the lack of motivation in food preparation, which is strongly related to intention. Regarding the latter barrier, as reported by Menozzi, Sogari & Mora [ 35 ], intention is the main factor in predicting behavior regarding the consumption of healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Therefore, we believe that nutrition professionals within the university community should design programs and tools that can help students to be more motivated in choosing healthy food. During the focus groups, students realized the strong role of college facilities in influencing their eating habits. In fact, when students start college, they will face a new (food) environment (e.g., all-you-can-eat formula dining), which can have strong impact on their eating habits and intention to perform a healthy behavior. Interventions across campus dining facilities should decrease the potential barriers to healthy food, and increase self-efficacy and behavioral controls, to encourage students to embrace a better diet [ 40 ].

Among the social enablers, students found that having the support of friends to be active in healthy eating was an important stimulus. We also observed that students who have a higher frequency of physical activity believe that social pressure helps them to stay healthy. Parents also have a crucial role, both positive and negative, in shaping the concept of healthy eating and in encouraging children in healthy activities, both related to eating (e.g., food preparation) or more physical (e.g., sport, outdoor activities). We noticed how perceived benefits of healthy eating also influence the intention to consume healthier food [ 41 ], which seems to be more easily achieved if students start planning their meals (self-control technique). Moreover, university characteristics, such as living arrangements (i.e., dormitory, off-campus, with parents) or academic schedules (e.g., classes, exams, etc.), also influence the relationships between individuals and their eating behaviors [ 18 , 29 , 42 ], and they should be taken into account when designing effective and tailored multilevel intervention programs.

Finally, it should be noted that some barriers for certain individuals, might be perceived as potential drivers by others. For instance, and not surprisingly, some students stated that “all-you-can-eat” formulas have a negative impact on the amount and quality of food consumed, whereas others believed that these types of dining halls facilitated their ability to have a healthy diet.

The focus groups confirmed that both lifestyle and behavioral factors are strongly associated with dietary patterns among college students: participants were aware that “being a healthy person” was not just exercising and eating healthy foods, but also taking time for yourself and being an overall happy individual.

One of the methodological limitations to the current study is that these results cannot be automatically generalized to the whole population of university students, when considering the specific and limited sample of participants (i.e., US college environment, healthy BMI status, other). Another limitation is related to the presence of students who might have been more interested in this topic, and decided to participate at the focus group, leading to “selection bias”.

5. Implications

More precision in the relationship between food and health is a topic of growing importance on the public agenda [ 43 ]. Nevertheless, even with wide recognition that the food that we consume has a strong impact on our health, consumers’ food preferences do not always lead to the best nutritional choices. A better understanding of the link between diet and health among college students is important for developing programs and behavioral change strategies to improve their lifestyle in general, and to reduce diet-related diseases in particular [ 9 ].

This study highlights the importance of consulting college students when developing healthy eating interventions across the campus for dining services or programs. As suggested by Stok et al., [ 10 ], researchers in the food and nutrition field should not only focus on individual-level factors, but they should also integrate socio-ecological aspects into the analysis. Dining halls and other University facilities should ensure the availability of healthy food choices, as well as promoting physical activity practices regularly. They should also provide food education and food preparation classes, to make students more knowledgeable on how to cook and better plan meals.

Giving college students the necessary skills to be more aware of what a healthy diet style means would empower them to make better food choices throughout their life. As suggested by many authors [ 4 , 44 ], interventions should be specific for the targeted population (i.e., young adults) in order to help individuals to behave accordingly with their healthy intentions. For instance, social media facilitates the interaction between individuals and organizations (e.g., university administrators and food researchers), in order to provide tailor-made information [ 29 , 45 ]. This aspect can be helpful in promoting healthy diets without creating eating disorders. In addition, price reductions for high-cost foods in campus facilities, such as dining halls and cafeterias, should also facilitate the purchase of more healthy options (e.g., fruits and vegetables). Environmental modifications can include changing and/or labeling healthy food options to make them more appealing, while creating a point of nutrition information where students can see healthy food options.

6. Conclusions

The aim of this study was to identify factors driving healthy lifestyle behaviors among US college students. Opinions and recommendations for effective and tailored-made intervention programs or environmental modifications that support healthy eating were presented, using an ecological framework that combined psychological, social, and environmental strategies.

Consumer behavior scientists typically do not contribute to the scientific debate about what is best to eat from a nutritional point of view or give recommendations about dietary components for the specific amounts and limits for food groups. In this study, we instead tried to understand the individual, social, and environmental factors that influenced students’ healthy eating choices. Our results suggest that participants were influenced by individual, social, and university environmental factors.

The Ecological Model can help university communities to gain more insights into how and why students make certain food choices, and support them in staying healthy.

Colleges and dining halls on campuses should acknowledge their crucial role in guiding healthy eating behaviors, and be the first subjects to be interested in creating a healthy environment for the students. Unless they start understanding the reasons behind unhealthy eating behaviors of young adults, effective policies and managerial strategies to fight malnutrition (obesity, anorexia, micro-deficiency) cannot be developed.

The next step of this research will include the collection of a larger and more representative sample size, especially when taking into consideration the socio-cultural differences of college students between the US and other Western countries. Considering that the same negative trend of overweightness and unhealthy eating behavior among children, adolescents, and young adults is emerging in Europe, and also in Mediterranean countries [ 46 ], discussions on potential and future studies addressing this problem in a national context are advised. In addition, further research should evaluate whether specific tailor-made interventions are effective in changing behaviors towards a healthy lifestyle.

Acknowledgments

This study, which is part of a wider project called “CONSUMEHealth. Using consumer science to improve healthy eating habits”, has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and Innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 749514. We appreciate the assistance of Liam Wickes-Do and Zekun Ma, two research assistants, for the contribution in data collection, cleaning and transcription of the focus groups. The authors also thank all students participating in this study and the staff members of the Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research (CISER). We also sincerely appreciate the feedbacks and insightful comments of the anonymous reviewers who helped improve and clarify this manuscript.

Author Contributions

G.S. took lead in writing the manuscript and was overall responsible for the study design, data collection and analysis. C.V.-A. has contributed in the study design and in the data collection (Focus Group moderator). C.M. and M.I.G. contributed in the result interpretation and made suggestions and comments of the final version of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

None of the authors or affiliated institutions associated with this manuscript submission has any financial or personal relationship or affiliation that could influence the present work.

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College essays that worked and how yours can too.

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CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 08: A view of Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University on ... [+] July 08, 2020 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have sued the Trump administration for its decision to strip international college students of their visas if all of their courses are held online. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The college essay is a pivotal piece of the college application showcasing your individuality and differentiated outlook to admissions officers. What makes an essay truly shine? Let’s dive into the words behind three standout essays highlighted by university websites and a school newspaper's brand studio so you can get into the right mindset for crafting your own narrative.

Embracing Differences: Finding Strength In Uniqueness

Essay Excerpt: ‘Bra Shopping ’ (Harvard)

Featured by the Harvard Crimson Brand Studio , Orlee's essay recounts a student's humorous and insightful experience of bra shopping with her grandmother, weaving in her unique family dynamics and challenges at her prestigious school.

What Works:

Humor and Honesty: The student's humor makes the essay enjoyable to read, while her honesty about her challenges adds depth.
Self-Awareness: She demonstrates a strong sense of self-awareness, embracing her uniqueness rather than trying to fit in.
Resilience: Her narrative highlights resilience and the ability to find strength in differences.

For Your Essay : To write an essay that embraces your uniqueness, start by identifying a quirky or challenging experience that reflects who a key insight into your experience. Think about how this experience has shaped your perspective and character. Use humor and honesty to bring your story to life, and focus on how you have embraced your differences to become stronger and more resilient.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, finding connections: humor and self-reflection.

Essay: ‘Brood X Cicadas ’ (Hamilton College)

As an example on Hamilton's admissions website, Nicholas writes about the cicadas swarming his hometown every 17 years and draws a parallel between their emergence and his own transition to college life. He uses humor and self-reflection to create a relatable and engaging narrative.

Humor: Nicholas uses humor to make his essay entertaining and memorable. His witty comparisons between himself and cicadas add a unique twist.
Self-Reflection: By comparing his life to the cicadas’, he reflects on his own growth and readiness for change.
Relatability: His narrative about facing new experiences and challenges resonates with readers who have undergone similar transitions.

For Your Essay: To infuse humor and self-reflection into your essay, start by identifying an ordinary experience or object and think about how it relates to your life. Write down funny or insightful observations about this connection. Use humor to make your essay more engaging, but ensure it still conveys meaningful self-reflection. This balance can make your essay both entertaining and profound.

Persistence and Multicultural Identity: Life Lessons From Tortilla Making

Essay: ‘ Facing The Hot Griddle ’ (Johns Hopkins University)

In this essay published by Hopkins Insider, Rocio uses the process of making tortillas to explore her multicultural identity and the challenges she has faced. Her story beautifully weaves together her Guatemalan heritage and her experiences growing up in the United States.

Metaphor and Symbolism: The process of making tortillas becomes a powerful metaphor for the student’s journey and struggles. The symbolism of the masa harina and water mixing parallels her blending of cultural identities.
Personal Growth: The essay highlights her perseverance and adaptability, qualities that are crucial for success in college.
Cultural Insight: She provides a rich, personal insight into her multicultural background, making her story unique and compelling.

For Your Essay: To write an essay that explores your identity through a metaphor, start by thinking about an activity or tradition that holds significant meaning for you. Consider how this activity relates to your life experiences and personal growth. Use detailed descriptions to bring the activity to life and draw connections between the process and your own journey. Reflect on the lessons you've learned and how they've shaped your identity.

A winning college essay isn’t simply about parading your best accomplishment or dramatizing your challenges. It’s not a contest for which student is the most original or entertaining. Rather, the essay is a chance for you to showcase your authenticity, passion, resilience, social awareness, and intellectual vitality . By sharing genuine stories and insights, you can create an essay that resonates with admissions committees and highlights your unique qualities.

For you to have the best possible essay, mindset is key. Here’s how to get into the zone:

Reflect Deeply: Spend time thinking about your experiences, challenges, and passions. Journaling can help you uncover deep insights.
Discuss and Share: Talking about your stories with friends, family, or mentors can provide new perspectives and emotional clarity.
Immerse Yourself: Engage in activities that you are passionate about to reignite the feelings and memories associated with them.
Draft Freely: Don’t worry about perfection on the first try. Write freely and honestly, then refine your narrative.

The secret to a standout college essay lies in its authenticity, depth, and emotional resonance. By learning from these successful examples and getting into the right mindset, you can craft an essay that not only stands out but also provides a meaningful insight into who you are. Remember, your essay is your story—make it a piece of writing that you will always be proud of.

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Campus Chronicles: Exploring the Evolving Landscape of College Student Life

College life – a unique blend of academic pursuits, personal discovery, and a dash of adventure. It’s a journey that shapes the minds and lives of millions of students worldwide. But have you ever stopped to consider how the landscape of college student life is continually evolving? Let’s dive into this fascinating world and explore the myriad facets that make up the modern college experience.

The Digital Revolution in Education

Online learning: a new frontier.

Remember when attending college meant physically being in a classroom? Well, times have changed! The advent of online learning platforms has revolutionized the educational landscape. From Ivy League universities to community colleges, institutions are embracing digital classrooms. But what does this mean for students?

Online learning offers flexibility and accessibility, making higher education more inclusive than ever. Students can now balance work, family, and education, breaking geographical barriers. Yet, this shift also poses challenges. How does one maintain discipline and motivation in a virtual environment? How do we ensure that the quality of education remains high?

The Power of EdTech Tools

EdTech tools are not just fancy gadgets; they’re changing the way students learn. Interactive learning apps, AI-driven tutoring systems, and collaborative platforms have made learning more engaging and personalized. These tools are not just for the tech-savvy; they’re becoming integral to the modern student’s toolkit. But are we relying too much on technology for education? Where do we draw the line?

Amidst the plethora of challenges that students face, such as complex assignments, the intricacies of research paper writing, and the crafting of essays, the need for competent assistance has never been more pronounced. In today’s fast-paced academic environment, services like EduBirdie become essential. They offer a variety of services tailored for students, including crucial editing assistance. When students find themselves pondering, “Should I pay for essay assistance or editing?”, platforms like EduBirdie provide a viable solution. Their services help students navigate the demanding academic landscape, ensuring that the quality and integrity of their work are maintained, while also offering valuable learning experiences. This blend of technology and personalized support embodies the evolving nature of educational tools, bridging gaps and easing academic burdens in the digital age.

The Changing Face of Campus Culture

Diversity and inclusion: more than buzzwords.

The 21st century campus is a melting pot of cultures, identities, and ideas. Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords; they’re pillars of the modern educational ethos. But what does this look like in practice?

Colleges are implementing policies and programs to support underrepresented groups, fostering an environment of respect and understanding. However, creating a truly inclusive campus goes beyond policy. It’s about everyday interactions, challenging stereotypes, and embracing differences. Can we say that all colleges are succeeding in this endeavor?

The Rise of Student Activism

Gone are the days when students were passive recipients of knowledge. Today’s college students are vocal, informed, and not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. From climate change to social justice, student activism is reshaping campus dynamics. But what impact does this have on the academic environment? Are colleges ready to adapt to this new wave of student empowerment?

Mental Health: A Growing Priority

Breaking the stigma.

The conversation around mental health has taken center stage in college campuses. More students are seeking help, and institutions are responding with increased resources and support systems. But is this enough?

Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is crucial. It’s about creating a culture where students feel safe to discuss their struggles without fear of judgment. But how do we ensure that mental health services are accessible to all who need them?

The Stress of Academic Pressure

The pressure to excel academically can take a toll on students’ mental health. With the competitiveness of the job market, the stakes feel higher than ever. How do students balance the pursuit of academic excellence with their mental well-being? Are colleges providing adequate support to help students navigate these pressures?

Sustainability: A Shared Responsibility

Green campuses: more than a trend.

Sustainability is no longer an optional add-on; it’s a necessity. Colleges are leading the way in promoting sustainable practices. Initiatives are becoming a staple of campus life. But how effective are these measures? Are students participating in these efforts?

Educating for a Sustainable Future

The role of education in promoting sustainability is crucial. It’s not just about implementing green policies; it’s about instilling a sense of responsibility towards the planet in the next generation. How are colleges incorporating sustainability into their curricula? Are students being prepared to tackle the environmental challenges of the future?

Conclusion: Embracing Change in College Student Life

The changing character of college student life shows how education evolves. These shifts reflect social norms and expectations. As we adapt, we must keep college’s core values of learning, growth, and discovery. The future of higher education looks bright, filled with possibilities and challenges. As we navigate this ever-changing terrain, one thing is certain: the journey of a college student today is:

more diverse;
more challenging;
more exciting than ever before.

So, are we ready to be part of this transformative journey?

Author’s Bio

James Hughey is a seasoned content writer and researcher, known for his expertise in crafting compelling essays and in-depth research articles. With a passion for exploring diverse topics and a flair for engaging writing, he has contributed significantly to various platforms seeking high-quality, informative content. His ability to weave facts with narrative finesse makes his work both informative and captivating, appealing to a wide range of readers interested in insightful and thought-provoking writing.

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✔ How to Choose the Right Coaching Certification for You ✔ Free Life Coaching Certifications and Courses Online ✔ Top Coaching Certifications ✔ Build a Thriving Coaching Business

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Top 32 free & paid life coaching certifications in all niches.

Looking for the right coaching certification can take you down a deep rabbit hole. To make your research easier, we’ve gathered all the most popular free and paid training programs available.

In this certification masterlist, you’ll find everything from free online coaching certifications to year-long comprehensive coach training options.

Let’s dive in to find the one that’s best for you.

How to Choose the Right Coaching Certification for You

There are a couple of factors to consider to narrow down your research. First, define the niche you want to be working in. A specialized business or health coaching program can help you gain expertise relevant to your interests and career goals.

Next, consider whether specific credentials are important to you. Although being certified by a renowned organization like the International Coach Federation (ICF) is unnecessary, it can increase your credibility and make you more attractive to new clients.

Finally, plan your budget and the time available to invest in your education. These programs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars and vary in length from a few days to over a year.

More expensive doesn’t always mean better, but you want to get quality training that meets your needs. Payment plans and classes delivered online can give you some flexibility, and additional support, like mentorship opportunities, can boost the value of your program.

Free Life Coaching Certifications and Courses Online

Free life coach certification by the life coach training institute.

This mini-course covers essential topics such as conducting sessions, active listening, asking powerful questions, client accountability, and business basics.

It includes some exercises and lesson transcripts. If you want to dive deeper later, upgrade to their entire certification course or live boot camp for $195.

Professional Life Coach Course by Alison

Alison’s CPD-accredited course includes 6-10 hours of lessons on coaching questions, setting SMART goals, and overcoming limiting beliefs.

You’ll learn to distinguish between good and bad habits and help people discover their purpose. You must score 80% or higher on each assessment to earn the certificate.

Free Introductory Life Coaching Lecture by Animas

Animas offers a free three-hour session on Transformational Coaching. It explains the transformative coaching approach and the different career pathways and specializations you can take as a transformational coach.

The interactive session includes trainer-led presentations and group discussions over Zoom.

Free Life Coaching Certificate by eLearning College

This three-month course from eLearning College can be completed at your own pace and covers life coaching fundamentals, such as performance improvement strategies, coaching tools, and solutions for communication issues.

Each end-of-unit assessment grants a free CPD-accredited coaching certificate.

Coaching Skills by UC Davis on Coursera

Coursera offers the Coaching Skills course for managers by UC Davis , which can be audited for free.

This comprehensive program includes lessons on improving communication skills, providing feedback, and developing teams. It also covers essential coaching techniques to enhance leadership capabilities in a managerial role.

The Complete Guide to Becoming a Coach on Udemy

Udemy has a free version of its Complete Guide to Becoming a Coach course. This online program offers a detailed guide to the principles and practices of effective coaching.

Topics include establishing a coaching practice, developing client relationships, and mastering techniques for various scenarios.

Top Coaching Certifications

Co-active training institute (cti): co-active coaching certification.

The Co-Active Coaching Certification offers Professional Certified Coach credentials. It focuses on relationship building and personal development. The program costs $1,099-6,499 for each module, depending on its level and delivery format.

It’s available in person and online and can be completed in 6-12 months. It emphasizes experiential learning and practical application.

Here’s our in-depth review of the Co-Active Certification .

Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC): Certified Professional Coach (CPC)

iPEC offers Certified Professional Coach (CPC) certification and focuses on core energy coaching principles. The program costs around $11,950 and takes approximately 7-9 months to complete. It includes in-depth training on energy leadership and personal transformation.

Additionally, iPEC offers specialized programs in executive coaching, health and wellness coaching, and sports and performance coaching.

Here’s our in-depth review of iPEC’s programs .

The NeuroLeadership Institute (NLI): Brain-Based Coaching Certification

The NeuroLeadership Institute (NLI) offers certification in brain-based coaching, integrating neuroscience with coaching practices.

Depending on your region, the program costs around $3,170 for part one and $5,995 for part two and can be completed in six months.

Here’s our in-depth review of the Neuroleadership Institute .

Coach Training Alliance (CTA): Certified Coach Program

The Coach Training Alliance (CTA) offers ICF-accredited certifications in life, career, and business coaching . The program costs $4,339 and spans six months. It includes interactive online classes and mentor coaching.

CTA’s comprehensive curriculum prepares participants to become proficient coaches, focusing on practical skills and professional development.

Here’s our in-depth review of the program at CTA .

Applied Positive Psychology Certificate by IPPC

The Institute of Positive Psychology Coaching offers programs integrating positive psychology with coaching practices.

Their Level 1 program costs $3,500 and includes practical courses on strengths-based approaches and well-being, live support, and personalized feedback from experts. Their advanced diploma is a one-year program for $8,200.

Here’s our in-depth review of the program at the Positive Psychology Coaching Institute .

Erickson Coaching International: The Art & Science of Coaching

The Art & Science of Coaching program offers multiple levels of certification with solution-focused coaching methodologies.

The cost ranges from $4,512 to $8,496 and lasts 6-12 months. It emphasizes the practical application of coaching tools and NLP techniques.

Here’s our in-depth review of the Art & Science of Coaching program at Erickson Coaching International .

Coachville offers two main coaching certification programs: the Starter Program and the Complete Program. Both are aligned with ICF credentials (ACC and PCC).

It prepares coaches across various specialties by featuring gamified online learning via Game Cards and live classes. Based on their level, these programs last 6-18 months and cost $3,500-6,000.

Here’s our in-depth review of Coachville .

Jay Shetty Certification School

The Jay Shetty Certification School offers a six-month online life coach certification program with 120 hours of lectures.

It includes coaching basics, advanced techniques, and business strategies, culminating in Jay Shetty Certified Life and Success Coach credentials. Pricing details are disclosed during an enrollment call, reportedly around $7,400.

Here’s our in-depth review of the Jay Shetty Coach School .

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Certification by Six Seconds

Six Seconds offers various Emotional Intelligence (EQ) certification programs tailored for coaches at various career stages. Courses include EQ Coach, Practitioner, Assessor, Performance Metrics, Educator, and Brain Profiler certifications.

Their full course, the EQ Coach program, costs $10,000, while other courses vary between $275 and $7,000. Each program emphasizes evidence-based learning outcomes and access to global EQ tools.

Here’s our in-depth review of the EQ Coach training by Six Seconds .

Coach Certification Program at UC Davis

The Coaching for Life and Work Certificate Program at UC Davis costs $9,500, spanning 5 months of online classes via Zoom.

Accredited by the ICF, it equips professionals with core coaching competencies and offers pathways to ACC and PCC credentials. It is facilitated by experienced master coaches from diverse industries.

Here’s our in-depth review of the coaching program at UC Davis .

MBTI Certification Program

The MBTI Certified Practitioner program offers comprehensive training on applying the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for coaches and HR professionals.

Pricing ranges from $1,195 to $2,395 in the US. Duration varies with options for virtual or in-person training lasting over a few days.

This training helps you gain expertise in personality assessments to enhance your coaching effectiveness as well as client relationships.

Here’s our in-depth review of the MBTI Certification Program.

The Robbins-Madanes Life Coach Certification

The coaching program of Tony Robbins and Cloe Madanes has three online tracks: Core 100, Core 200, and the Total Breakthrough Training, ranging from $3,500 to $4,990.

These programs combine self-paced learning with live sessions over six months, focusing on strategic intervention coaching and real-life case studies.

Here’s our in-depth review of The Robbins-Madanes Life Coach Certification .

Coach Certification by The Goal Imagery Institute

The Goal Imagery Institute Coach Certification offers comprehensive training in transformative coaching techniques, aligning with ICF core competencies.

Programs include Holistic Life, Career, and Executive Coach certifications, structured across three levels, with prices starting at $4,500.

Students learn goal imagery, positive psychology, and NLP, preparing them to guide clients effectively through personalized coaching sessions.

Here’s our in-depth review of The Goal Imagery Institute .

Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Certification

The Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Certification costs $4,000 and spans 7 to 9 months. It combines eLearning modules, weekly mentorship calls, and practical client engagement.

Graduates gain 36 ICF Continuing Coach Education hours, mastering a collaborative coaching approach for sustained leadership improvement in diverse global contexts.

Here’s our in-depth review of Marshall Goldsmith .

Coach Certification by the Gestalt Center

The Gestalt Center for Coaching offers a comprehensive ICF-accredited program lasting 5-7 months, combining online and in-person sessions. It emphasizes Gestalt psychology, mindfulness, and field theory, preparing coaches to facilitate intentional change through heightened awareness.

Program fees aren’t currently featured on the organization’s website, but you can learn more about tuition by contacting their team.

Here’s our in-depth review of the Gestalt Center .

Transformation Academy

Transformation Academy offers affordable coach certification programs in over 45 niches, including happiness coaching, mental health coaching, and business coaching.

Their self-paced courses equip you with essential strategies and tools to effectively coach clients in your chosen specialty.

Accredited by the Continuing Professional Development Standards Agency (CPD), their programs are available for $197 or some for as low as $69.99 on Udemy.

Coach Training World

Coach Training World offers the Professional Whole Person Certified Coach program, blending science and psychology. You’ll earn Whole Person Certified Coach and ICF credentials upon completion.

The program guides you through niche discovery, core whole-person coaching training, and ICF credentialing. Optional access to CoachPreneur Academy helps you launch your coaching business.

As an ACTP program, it provides comprehensive support and over 400 hours of extended learning.

CoachU is renowned for its Executive Coaching certification, which focuses on foundational skills across two phases: Core Essentials and Professional Essentials (for certified coaches). You can complete the 78 hours of training over eight months or opt for a fast-track 6-day intensive.

The program covers core skills, proprietary coaching models, and business positioning. Costs range from $6,095 per phase to $11,190 for the entire program. With flexible scheduling options, this program can be an excellent choice for those changing careers and professionals integrating coaching skills into their current full-time roles.

Mindvalley offers coach certification programs for life and business coaches that can be completed in 16 weeks. Designed for busy professionals, these programs are divided into three hours of bite-sized weekly lessons and cost $4,499.

You’ll engage in weekly live sessions, peer coaching labs and gain access to over 16 hours of live session recordings with top coaches. Led by Ajit Nawalkha, co-founder of Mindvalley Coach, the program includes exclusive access to Mindvalley’s global ecosystem of coaches and grants 42 continuing education units with ICF.

Evidence-Based Coaching Certification by Fielding Graduate University

Fielding Graduate University’s certification emphasizes evidence-based practices and research in coaching. The program costs $6,125 to $6,420 per term and takes eight months to complete.

Combining academic rigor with practical coaching skills, it prepares coaches to apply scientifically grounded methods to their practice.

New Ventures West: Professional Coaching Course (PCC)

New Ventures West offers a certification in integral coaching that costs $13,900 for 12 months.

The program emphasizes a holistic approach to personal and professional development, integrating multiple coaching methodologies to foster comprehensive client growth.

World Coach Institute: Certified Professional Coach (CPC)

The World Coach Institute (WCI) offers a broad range of certifications, including a foundational Certified Professional Coach (CPC) program delivered online.

The course material includes communication skills, core coaching competencies, as well as tools and assessments. You’ll also have the chance to observe up to 25 coaching sessions, give and receive coaching, and get personalized feedback.

The 8-week program costs $2,922 and provides a well-rounded foundation for aspiring professional coaches. It combines self-study classes and mentor coaching.

Center for Executive Coaching

The Center for Executive Coaching offers an ICF-accredited certification designed for aspiring executive coaches. This comprehensive program covers foundational coaching skills, business coaching methodology, and results-focused leadership solutions.

The program emphasizes practical, measurable results for executives and managers and prepares graduates to facilitate, assess, train, advise, or consult clients. Program fees range from $4,900 to $7,350, and depending on the track you choose, it can be completed in a few days to six months.

Certified Happiness Coach Program at Happiitude

The Certified Happiness Coach Program at Happiitude is a six-week certification tailored to coaches focusing on workplace happiness. It covers personal happiness foundations, applying happiness frameworks at work, and designing workshops.

Accredited by the Berkeley Well-Being Institute, it includes live group sessions and extensive materials. The program costs $1,299 and is delivered entirely online through interactive sessions.

Integrative Health Coach Certification by Nickerson

The Nickerson Institute’s Integrative Health Coach Certification , led by Dr. Wendy Nickerson, lasts 6-12 months, involves 200 hours of training, and costs $4,299.

It includes self-paced video lessons, bi-weekly live meetings, a year of personal mentoring, and an opportunity to be listed on the organization’s coach directory.

The program is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), the Canadian Association of Integrative Nutrition (CAIN), and the Health Coach Alliance (HCA).

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COMMENTS

Predictors of the Quality of Life of University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Given the prevailing focus on this subset of students, there is a dearth of research on the QOL of the general population of university students. In Spain, such research has been limited to only a handful of studies with small sample sizes [28,29,30,31]. The present paper aims to fill in this gap in the literature by studying a broader group of ...
Academic Stress and Mental Well-Being in College Students: Correlations
A review of the effectiveness of stress management skills training on academic vitality and psychological well-being of college students. J. Med. Life 8, 39-44. [PMC free article] [Google Scholar] Allen S., Hiebert B. (1991). Stress and coping in adolescents. Can. J. Counsel. 25, 19-32. [Google Scholar] American Psychological Association ...
Stress and Quality of Life Among University Students: A Systematic
Therefore, this research aimed to analyze recent scientific productions about stress and quality of life in university students. Methods A systematic review was conducted on the recent scientific production (i.e., published papers along the last five (5) years) in Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed and Virtual Health Library (BVS).
Student's Quality of Life at the University: a Qualitative Study
Yu, G. y Kim, J. (2008) Testing the mediating effect of the quality of College life in the student satisfaction and student royalty relationship. Applied Research in Quality of Life. 31 Pp 1-21. Yu, G. B., & Lee, D.-J. (2008). A model of quality of college life of students in Korea. Social Indicators Research, 87(2), 269-285.
An examination of college student wellness: A research and liberal arts
The percentage of college students who report experiencing psychological distress, depression, and anxiety has greatly increased over the past decade (Burris et al., 2009; Eisenberg et al., 2013; Roberts and Danoff-Burg, 2010).In a recent survey (American College Health Association, 2015), 30 percent of students reported that stress and 21 percent reported that sleep difficulties negatively ...
Loneliness at Universities: Determinants of Emotional and Social
1. Introduction. In the course of life, there are various social transitions from one stage of life to the next [1,2].One of the major transitions is from high school to university, which is a crucial event in late adolescence related to structural and social changes that impacts relationships, routines, assumptions, and roles [1,2].University students, based on their increasing independence ...
Life After Graduation: Exploring The Utility Of A College And Career
April of 2017 and was in addition to the persuasive research essay that students completed in the fall of 2016. The college and career research project reinforced digital research skills, organization, and correct MLA formatting but also contained the additional element of creating a multimedia presentation and sharing it with the class.
(PDF) Systematic Review: A Study of College Adjustment ...
Abstract and Figures. College adjustment is an important factor that influences academic success. First-year undergraduates must deal with a transition period from high school to college, during ...
Human Capital Spillovers and Health: Does Living Around College
DOI 10.3386/w32346. Issue Date April 2024. Equally educated people are healthier if they live in more educated places. Every 10 percent point increase in an area's share of adults with a college degree is associated with a decline in all-cause mortality by 7%, controlling for individual education, demographics, and area characteristics. Area ...
(PDF) Life Satisfaction Among College Students: The Role of Self
Abstract. Purpose of this study is to identify the effectiveness of self-monitoring training through peer education to improve life satisfaction for college. students through peer education. This ...
PDF The Impact of Covid-19 on Student Experiences and Expectations ...
experienced an average decrease of 11.5 hours of work per week and a 21% decrease in weekly earnings, arnings for 52% of the sample, which again re ects s. variation in the e ects of COVID-19 across students. In terms of labor market expectations, on average, students foresee a 13 percentage points decrease in.
College Life Essays & Research Papers
Relationships as an Important Factor in College Life. 4 Pages 1693 Words. This paper explores college students and relationships. During emerging adulthood relationships are important because previous research has shown that positive close relationships with peers correlate to how well they adapt in college, academic achievement, retention ...
(PDF) College Students' Problems and Their Link to ...
College Students' Problems and Their Link to Academic Performance: Basis for Needs- driven Student Programs December 2019 Journal Of Research Policy & Practice of Teachers & Teacher Education 9(2 ...
College Life: Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper
College life is the period which is featured by numerous adventures, successes and failures. It is often remembered as the best period in human's life, as it is the peak of energy, wishes and dreams. Students are the most careless stratum of the population, as they study, date, entertain and communicate without minding numerous problems.
Stress in College Students, Its Causes and Effects Research Paper
In fact, sleep problems are some of the major issues affecting most college students, including insomnia and the associated psychological problems (Cohen, Kamarck & Mermelstein, 2003). At the end, the economic effect is that the students perform poorly in academics, making the society loss the economic potential of the young age.
≡Essays on College Life. Free Examples of Research Paper Topics, Titles
College Life - is Something What Choose to Have Or not. 2 pages / 771 words. There was a moment in my life where expectations needs to become a reality and reality didn't really matter. The reality of a new born child would be in the hands of your parent or guardian ,whatever they said you will do or becom.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students in USA: Two
We have three main findings. First, 60.3% of students had tested positive for COVID-19, and more female than male students were affected (female, 69.7%; male, 50.7%). Second, there was a high prevalence of mental problems among college students, with 95.7% of the sample experiencing moderate or severe mood disorders.
Ultimate List of 265 Research Topics for College Students
These are 20 potential topics for your research in the music industry: The effect of music on a human brain. The evolution of rap music. TikTok as the most efficient promotional channel for new music. The origin of music theory. The music industry and information technology.
200 Easy Research Paper Topics for College Students in 2021
200 Easy Research Paper Topics for College Students in 2021. Writing research papers is a must-do step in any educational process at college. In many cases, professors allow students to be creative with choosing a topic to complete this type of academic assignment. This privilege usually sounds great at first glance.
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300+ Research Paper Topics for Every Student in 2024
These are the 200+ topics on various subjects, which you might find useful when creating your own. In case you need help aside from creating topics, you can also order the original research on Politics, Media & Communication, to do my Math homework, Law, and even Nursing papers for sale on nursing essay writing service Edubirdie.
College Students and Eating Habits: A Study Using An Ecological Model
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College Life Research Papers Samples For Students
13 samples of this type. If you're looking for an applicable way to simplify writing a Research Paper about College Life, WowEssays.com paper writing service just might be able to help you out. For starters, you should browse our extensive directory of free samples that cover most diverse College Life Research Paper topics and showcase the best ...
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Campus Chronicles: Exploring the Evolving Landscape of College Student Life
College life - a unique blend of academic pursuits, personal discovery, and a dash of adventure. It's a journey that shapes the minds and lives of millions of students worldwide. ... James Hughey is a seasoned content writer and researcher, known for his expertise in crafting compelling essays and in-depth research articles. With a passion ...
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Student’s Quality of Life at the University: a Qualitative Study

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Stress in College Students, Its Causes and Effects Research Paper

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Ultimate List of 265 Research Topics for College Students

Is Research Important?

Gender Research Topics

Literature Research Topics

Sports Research Paper Topics

What Are the Purposes of Research?

Why Is It important?

Art Research Paper Topics

Biology Research Topics for College Students

Educational Research Topics for Students

Environmental Research Topics

Law Research Paper Topics

Music Research Paper Topics

Psychology Research Paper Topics

Religion Research Paper Topics

Science Research Topics for College Students

Social Science Research Topics

Narrow Your Topic

Evaluate Sources

3 Main Tips on Writing a Thesis Statement

200 Easy Research Paper Topics for College Students in 2021

How to Choose Research Study Ideas for College Students

Stick to Your Favorite Topic

Choose Understandable Solutions

Make Sure You Will Find Enough Information

Look for Clear and Understandable Concepts and Issues

Try to Be Specific

Look For Something Unique

Be In Trend

Simple Research Topics: Education

Unique Research Topics on Health

Easy Research Paper Topics: Environment

Interesting Topics to Research: Technology and Media

Top Solutions Related to Business and Economy

Hot Topics for Research Paper: Family and Communication

Easy and Interesting Research Paper Topics

Top Tips to Writing a Winning Research Paper

Double-Check the Professor’s Instructions

Be Realistic

Follow the Rules

Proofread and Edit Your Paper

Check Originality

The Best Way to Get a Perfect Research Paper

Why fewer young men are choosing to pursue college degrees

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How researchers navigate a PhD later in life

Motivation is key

Finding mentors

Time and money

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