Abstract

MOLINA ROJAS, Noilin. Student Population of the University of Costa Rica: Personal Characteristics and Interests Regarding their Personal Development. Rev. Actual. Investig. Educ [online]. 2015, vol.15, n.3, pp.1-26. ISSN 1409-4703.

This article presents the main results of a socio-personal characterization of students in the Rodrigo Facio campus of the University of Costa Rica. The methodology corresponds to a mixed model of research, in which 1237 questionnaires and six focus groups were developed. The results reveal that the majority of students has social conditions and characteristics that allow them to be full time students. Nevertheless, in despite of the fact that the majority does not deal with personal difficulties that interfere with their academic performance, an important amount of students has to deal with this kind of problems (57,2 percent). Among the 42,8 percent of students that has personal difficulties that affect their academic performance, the 24,3 percent does not have a social support network to relay on. Regarding their social development, students are mainly interested in topics related to stress control, time management and recreation and they prefer participative and playful methodologies. Consequently, it is possible to conclude that the offers to bring support to the students, through the Oficina de Orientación of the Universidad de Costa Rica, who deal with personal difficulties related to stress control, time management and lack of recreation it is imperative to promote personal and academic students' development.

Keywords : university students; young adulthood; early adults; personal development; Costa Rica..

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