Universities at the moment are facing an impossible task. Finding the balance of keeping students safe, providing a sound education and keeping them happy and connected too. Because for students, it’s about the whole experience, including both education and social life. And in this week’s tracker, we found that students’ social lives are really paying the price, and it’s making students question how their institutions are handling the situation.
We asked the panel how well they think their university is handling a series of different factors. And the factor students feel universities are handling the worst? Student experience. With 16% of students saying their university is handling this poorly, 6% saying very poorly and only 8% saying very well.
What’s more, seven in 10 students think their social life at university is worse now than it was pre Covid-19. And we know what you’re thinking; isn’t everyone’s right now?
But with student concern about Covid-19 rising in an upward week-on-week trend, it’s something to really consider. 20% of students are now more likely to say they are very concerned than the previous report and overall concern is at its highest since early May.
And here, we’re about solutions, not problems.
So we asked what universities can practically do to negate some of the damage students are seeing to their social lives.
“Run socials that can be distanced - outdoor cinema, light festivals, etc. so students can still get out of their flats socially.”
“The university could organise social gatherings of small groups to help people meet people they wouldn't have met through their accommodation or their course.”
“Open study facilities and have more ways to contact admin for help.”
Students’ concerns around Covid-19 are growing, but the notion of ‘the university experience’ is still important to them So while keeping your students safe should, and will, continue to be your number one priority, your students have designs on how to do both. Listen to them, learn from them - they’re adaptable and resilient, and they have ideas.
If you would like to include any of your own questions in our next report, sign up here today.
