Comparative Study on Reading Habits and Supervisor Communication among Chinese Graduate Students Before and After COVID-19
Yuanyuan Shi *
School of Teacher Education, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
Yi Zou
School of Mathematical Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
Yan Hua
School of Foreign Languages, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
Hanlin Chen
School of Foreign Languages, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
Hongyi Shen
School of Computer Science and Communication Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on postgraduate students’ reading habits and supervisor communication. An online survey was conducted among 2,298 students across different disciplines in mainland China. The results showed that after the COVID-19 outbreak, book reading remained unchanged for 75.6% of students, while 11% reported a decrease of over 30%. For paper reading, 76.7% of students reported no change, with 8.2% increasing their reading by over 60%. Supervisor communication frequency decreased significantly, with 48.7% of students maintaining the same communication level and the majority experiencing a reduction. These findings highlight the need for improved mentorship practices during pandemics and offer insights into supporting postgraduate students in disrupted learning environments.
Keywords: Reading habit, mentoring, graduate education, COVID-19, China