Department of English Language Students Conduct Workshop on the Effects of Social Media on Students’ Academic Performance at Zanst High School
On Sunday, October 18, 2026, a group of students from the Department of English Language at Cihan University-Erbil conducted an educational workshop entitled “The Effects of Social Media on Students’ Academic Performance” for 11th-grade students at Zanst High School under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Marwa Mahmood Ameen.
Upon arrival the they were received by Mr. Sidad Ibrahim Hassan the school principal and Ms. Sahira Muhammad Muhammad Aziz the class teacher. The session started with six university students from the second, third, and fourth stages delivered presentations addressing different aspects of the topic.
The second-stage students, Siyav Hersh Ramiz and Mohammad Ahmed, introduced the topic by discussing the meaning of social media and its positive and negative effects on students. They highlighted its educational benefits, including access to learning resources and opportunities to improve English language skills, while also addressing potential distractions and excessive screen time.
The third-stage students, Sarah Habib Ahmed and Saba Ayad Abdulwahad, focused on the relationship between social media use and academic performance. Their presentations addressed study habits, time management, procrastination, concentration, and the possible effects of excessive social media use on homework completion and examination preparation.
The fourth-stage students, Shayan Pshtiwan and Imad Issa, discussed practical strategies for responsible social media use. They emphasized managing screen time, reducing distractions during study sessions, using digital platforms for educational purposes, and maintaining a healthy balance between online activities and academic responsibilities.
The workshop also encouraged 11th-grade students to participate in discussions, share their experiences, and suggest practical ways to benefit from social media while minimizing its negative effects on their studies.
The activity concluded with a photo session involving the university students and the 11th-grade students, commemorating the educational workshop and the collaboration between Cihan University-Erbil and Zanst High School.
