Ana Petak

Ana Petak was born in 1988 in Varaždin. She earned her degree in Psychology in 2012 from the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb, with a thesis focused on emotions and psychosomatics. During her studies, she was awarded the National Scholarship for Excellence and received two awards for being the best student in the final year of both undergraduate and graduate studies in psychology. She began her professional career as a school psychologist in primary and secondary schools, where she gained experience in counseling and providing psychological support to children and adolescents. She has completed the first level of education in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Since 2018, she has been employed as a teaching assistant at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb. There, she has been involved in delivering lectures and practical seminars across several courses in methodology, developmental psychology, and educational psychology. Her academic focus also includes the didactic and methodological training of university teachers, with teaching experience in the following programs: Pedagogical-Psychological-Didactic-Methodological Education for Teachers (co-teaching the courses Developmental Psychology and Practical Exercises) and Program for Methodological Training and Professional Development of University Teachers and Associates (co-teaching the course Learning and Teaching). In 2025, she earned her PhD from the postgraduate program Prevention Science and Disability Studies (Prevention Science), at the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb. Her doctoral dissertation, titled The Relationship Between Anxiety and Sleep Quality in University Students, focused on mental health and well-being among young people, particularly within the context of higher education. Her scientific and teaching interests include: educational and developmental psychology, prevention of mental health issues in youth and students, psychological support in academic settings and the enhancement of teaching quality in higher education.