A review of 44 studies on meditation interventions for college students over the past decade found that meditation practice has inconsistent effects on academic performance but more conclusive evidence for improving attention (including reducing mind-wandering) and reducing stress and anxiety. Meditation interventions show promise as alternative mental health treatments on campuses, but more well-designed studies are needed to determine optimal dosage, specific techniques, and effects on diverse populations.
Doctoral students who practiced loving-kindness meditation during synchronous online classes mostly found it difficult, struggled with mind-wandering, and often skipped sessions when rushed or overwhelmed. A minority reported stress relief and shifts in perspective toward others. The qualitative study of 25 working adults in a Doctor of Education program suggests that advanced meditation methods should be scaffolded with introductory techniques and that students need time to adjust before meditating. The findings highlight the need for more research on making loving-kindness meditation feasible and effective for doctoral students, whose mental health concerns receive less attention than those of undergraduates.