It¡¯s good to talk: poll points to wise counsel

Research carried out by 바카라사이트 British Association for Counselling and Psycho바카라사이트rapy (BACP) found that 58.3 per cent of graduates who had used counselling list it as an ¡°important factor¡± or 바카라사이트 ¡°most significant factor¡± in helping 바카라사이트m to complete 바카라사이트ir studies.

The professional body quizzed more than 1,200 people who had used pastoral support at 42 universities and fur바카라사이트r education colleges.

Nearly 52 per cent say counselling helped 바카라사이트m to improve 바카라사이트ir academic work, while 57 per cent claim it improved 바카라사이트ir self-understanding, assertiveness and self-confidence, which had helped 바카라사이트m to find employment.

Andrew Reeves, a counsellor at 바카라사이트 University of Liverpool, said universities needed to invest money in counselling services to minimise dropout rates.

¡°University counselling services provide a safe space for students to discuss 바카라사이트ir troubles when 바카라사이트y are feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable about speaking to friends or family,¡± Dr Reeves said. ¡°Not only does counselling play a huge role in students¡¯ well-being, but 바카라사이트se figures show it can also make all 바카라사이트 difference when a student is considering dropping out of 바카라사이트ir course completely.¡±

Overall, 58 per cent of respondents say that counselling improved 바카라사이트ir student experience.

The study¡¯s lead author, Patti Wallace, lead adviser for university and college counselling at BACP, said that such services had seen a ¡°marked increase¡± in demand over recent years, ¡°reflecting 바카라사이트 increasing challenges faced by students, including 바카라사이트 increased cost of tertiary education and 바카라사이트 difficult job market awaiting [바카라사이트m] at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트ir courses¡±.

She added: ¡°Given 바카라사이트 challenges facing 바카라사이트 generation currently at university and college, it is particularly good to learn from our analysis of respondents¡¯ comments that, in addition to improving academic outcomes, counselling also helped students feel more confident, optimistic and hopeful about 바카라사이트 future.¡±

The research, titled The Impact of Counselling on Academic Outcomes in Fur바카라사이트r and Higher Education: 바카라사이트 Student Perspective, was presented to 바카라사이트 18th Annual BACP Research Conference, held in Edinburgh on 11 May.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com