This study focused on the perceived loneliness of college students, and more specifically on the factors related to the emergence of the feeling of loneliness and ways of coping with loneliness. The research data were obtained from an internet forum functioning as a support network for children and adolescent called "Loneliness internet group". Anonymous messages (N=276) from summer and fall 2011 were selected as the data. Analysis was qualitative content analysis. The findings revealed the dimensions of college students' perceived loneliness and their coping methods. Also, the importance of the internet-based peer support was discussed.

No abstract

No abstract

Context: Enthusiasm has been noted to increase productivity and quality at work. In teachers' work, this has a connection to student learning and motivation, as well as teaching quality. In the context of Finnish vocational education and training (VET), research on enthusiasm appears especially topical and relevant because of the ongoing wide reform with emphasis on productivity and efficiency.Approach: In this study, Finnish VET teachers' enthusiasm at work was studied qualitatively. Three research questions were set for this study: (1) How do VET teachers describe their enthusiasm?; (2) What factors strengthen their enthusiasm, according to their descriptions?; and (3) What factors weaken their enthusiasm, according to their descriptions? Altogether, 103 teachers who voluntarily participated in the study completed an online questionnaire on enthusiasm. The data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis.Findings: According to the results, the teachers who participated in the study were very interested in their work. They wanted to share how they experienced enthusiasm in their work. Their enthusiasm manifested as their willingness to develop their skills and expertise. It also showed in their dedication, good job performance, and positive feelings about their work. Student encounters, a positive atmosphere, and work interactions were the main sources of enthusiasm. Lack of resources, changes, cuts in the VET budget, and a lousy work atmosphere weakened enthusiasm. The Force that Keeps you Going 245Conclusions: The study found that enthusiasm manifested itself in ways that correspond well with the current VET productivity and efficiency goals. Because enthusiasm was strengthened especially when teachers were working with students, it seems important to ensure a supportive work environment for students also after the VET reform. Positive interactions, collegial support, and working together can help teachers to succeed and to maintain enthusiasm in their everyday work. According to the results of this study, supervisors may play a central role in facilitating teacher enthusiasm.

Today's educational policies aim at making education more effective. However, in order to realize this in practice, not only reforms in educational policy or institutions are enough. More attention should be exerted on students' study paths as a whole. Using the descriptive research design paradigm, this article shall present an illustration of the factors that comprises the university students' study paths. Based on the illustration, the authors discuss what good university studying is and how teachers are able to make students progress with their study paths smoother. The authors argue that teachers should be more thoughtful and willing to genuinely help and confront students as individuals. In essence, teachers should act as mentors who further students' engagement in studying.