Exploring the Experience of Anxiety Among Final Year Students at University: A Thematic Analysis

Authors

Catriona Keane, University College Dublin
Daniel Waldeck, Coventry UniversityFollow
Andrew Holliman, UCL
Simon Goodman, De Montfort University
Kubra Choudhry, Coventry University

Abstract

The transition from undergraduate study to a postgraduate career can be an anxiety provoking experience for many students. In this study, we explore the shared experience of five “anxious” undergraduate students as they transition from higher education towards their postgraduate careers. Using a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five female undergraduate students from different courses at a UK university. A thematic analysis revealed two overarching themes: perceived pressure without sufficient support, and concerns about next steps. The findings suggested the final year is emotionally demanding, and students felt as though there was a lack of provision to manage their transition to postgraduate work or study. Possible implications for policymakers are detailed and areas for research are discussed.

Keywords

anxiety, university, transition, support, qualitative research methodology, thematic analysis

Author Bio(s)

Catriona Keane has a postgraduate degree in Psychology and conducted this qualitative research during her studies.

Daniel Waldeck, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in Psychology at Coventry University, with expertise in the domains of Applied Psychology and Research Methods. Please direct correspondence to ac8416@coventry.ac.uk.

Andrew Holliman, Ph.D., is a lecturer in Psychology at UCL Institute of Education. His research interests include the psychology of education, teaching, learning in higher education, and the development of children’s literacy.

Simon Goodman, Ph.D., is a senior lecturer in Psychology at DeMontfort University, with expertise in qualitative methods and discursive psychology.

Kubra Choudhry, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at Coventry University, with expertise in qualitative methods and health psychology.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the participating Higher Education institution (university) and staff at the Spirituality and Faith Centre for supporting the data collection. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of the students who took part in this research.

Publication Date

8-19-2021

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4874

Recommended APA Citation

Keane, C., Waldeck, D., Holliman, A., Goodman, S., & Choudhry, K. (2021). Exploring the Experience of Anxiety Among Final Year Students at University: A Thematic Analysis. The Qualitative Report, 26(8), 2621-2630. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4874

ORCID ID

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1201-7179