School motivation for young people on the rise for the start of the school year

Montreal, August 27, 2020. - On the eve of the start of the new school year, the organization Academos proceeded to a extensive consultation young Quebecers to find out their level of academic motivation. More than 1,000 young people aged 14 to 30 from across Quebec responded online. A similar exercise, carried out in the spring, sounded the alarm on a major drop in motivation caused mainly by the confinement and closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortunately, respondents are much more optimistic than in the spring, with a level of motivation that they currently assess at 7.1 / 10 on average. More than 65 % of respondents even estimate it at 7/10 and more. On a scale of 0 to 10, 0 being "not at all motivated" and 10 being "extremely motivated", the average academic motivation of young people had fallen from 7/10 before confinement to 4.1 / 10 in May, while schools were closed. The educational motivation of young Quebecers therefore seems to have returned to the same level as it was before the pandemic.

“Our young people are showing impressive resilience, especially this year. Even in the context of uncertainty that we live in, they are ready to roll up their sleeves to achieve their goals. These results motivate me even more to support them by providing them with tools to enable them to flourish and reach their full potential, ”said Guy Cormier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Desjardins Group and sponsor of Academos.

“Although students' academic motivation was severely shaken last spring by the closure of schools, young people generally seem enthusiastic and optimistic about the atypical start of the school year that awaits them. However, as the school world will no longer be exactly as it was before the pandemic, it is more important than ever to continue our efforts together to ensure that young people remain motivated throughout the year ”, he added. highlighted Catherine Légaré, president and founder of Academos.

Concerns still present

Despite encouraging results, the young people surveyed by Academos still express a lot of stress and anxiety related to their return to school.

“I feel a little stressed because I don't really know how back to school and school are going to go. "

“I am enthusiastic about my first return to university, but still a little stressed about the development of my social life, since my classes are online. "

"I think that because of the pandemic, the lessons will be very different than before, however I have no doubt that the school will put good measures in place which will not necessarily affect the start of the school year. . It will just be different! "

“A little worried but ready to work hard! "

“The start of the school year will be different this year, but just as decisive for the future of our young people. Let's be there for them, listen to them and encourage them! Let us live up to their dreams and show great flexibility to even better support them in their academic development, ”added Guy Cormier.

Better equipped to deal with a possible second confinement

If schools were to close due to a second wave of COVID-19, 54 % of respondents would feel better equipped to continue their studies from home than during the first wave, compared to 23 % who do not consider themselves better equipped than in the first wave. 'in spring.

Among the factors that could help them stay motivated, respondents named feeling that their current education will be useful for their future profession (54 %), having access to more fun and interesting ways to learn (47 %) and have clear short-term goals (45 %). They also believe that a lack of information about the start of the school year (57 %) and anxiety about the future (53 %) could have a negative influence on their academic motivation.

Since having a professional project that gives meaning to their studies is an important factor of academic motivation for young people, Academos helps more than 22,000 new young people each year in their choice of career by allowing them to dialogue for free with professionals passionate about their career. job. On the Academos app, more than 3,000 mentors are available to answer questions from young people aged 14 to 30.

In addition, in order to give a dose of motivation and inspiration to young Quebecers, Academos will organize a major virtual tour of high schools and CEGEPs this fall. During this tour, two comedians well known to young people will each host a virtual conference on their educational and professional career. All the details will be revealed on Academos social networks on September 9.

The survey took place online from August 18 to 20, 2020. For more information on the methodology and the sample, Click here.

About Academos

Founded in 1999, Academos is a non-profit organization that connects young people aged 14 to 30 with the reality of the world of work through a virtual mentoring application that allows them to interact for free with nearly 3,000 professionals passionate about their work. job.

Academos is financially supported by the Secrétariat à la jeunesse of the Government of Quebec to promote academic perseverance and facilitate career choice. The Montreal-based organization is also supported by several financial partners, including Aéro Montréal, Alcoa, ArcelorMittal, belairdirect, LaSalle College, Desjardins, the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) de Montréal, Finance Montréal, Intact Assurance, Investissement Québec , Insurance Pros, Ubisoft and VIA Rail Canada.