What Data is Telling Us About Student Life During Covid-19
Let’s start off with an understatement;
Student life currently isn’t at its prime.
Awesome, you’re up to speed!
We could’ve just ended the blog there, but we actually do have some really interesting data insights to share. Despite that this academic year will always go down as one of the most ‘interesting’ in history, student life will never stop.
Instead of looking at all the things that were not possible, let’s look at what did still happen the last few months. What were students most interested in? Which activities performed best? How did behaviour change every month? Moreover, how is student life still moving on?
Here’s a pick of our favourite insights.
1. Personal Development Takes the Lead
Since the onset of the pandemic, the quest for personal development has seen exponential growth, and that's a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's a stark reminder that many students are currently facing substantial challenges, yearning for better days. On the flip side, it's heartening to witness so many students actively seeking assistance, with universities offering an array of solutions.
Within Uni-Life, personal development events have surged, claiming the top spot of student interests for two out of the last three months. Health & Wellness emerged as a strong second contender, followed closely by academia and entertainment.
2. A Surge in Creativity
Despite the tightening grip of regulations, student activity hasn't waned. In the realm of online events (meticulously planned and executed by student associations), we saw at least one event happening daily. This might not seem like a lot, but bear in mind that December and January typically witness a lull due to exams and holidays—even in pre-pandemic times (remember those?).
Now, if we toss in spontaneous events, the numbers skyrocket. Numerous students organized informal gatherings or initiated micro-projects. In our previous blog, we highlighted how students united around shared passions like cooking, running, or gaming—a segue to our next revelation.
3. Embracing the Personal Connection
Students have displayed remarkable willingness to connect with peers they've never met. At TU Delft, over 350 students have reached out to fellow students to organize various activities. Spontaneous events, like impromptu walks, often outperformed meticulously planned, resource-intensive online gatherings in terms of student interest.
While we all must adhere to regulations, students seem eager to meet another student, even if it means maintaining a 1.5-meter distance, rather than participating in yet another online event.
In Conclusion
If you're committed to helping students navigate these challenging times, keep these three principles in mind:
- Provide numerous opportunities for self-development: Recognize that every student seeks support uniquely. The more diverse the personal development activities, from casual chats with peers to comprehensive programs, the better.
- Empower Creativity: Allow student associations and students themselves to explore their creative potential. With the right platform, guidance, and support, innovative solutions can flourish.
- Prioritize the Personal Touch: Avoid the Netflix approach of passively staring at screens. Lower barriers to entry and emphasize small-scale initiatives to ensure inclusivity and genuine engagement.
In this rapidly evolving academic landscape, these strategies can be your compass, guiding students toward personal growth, connection, and a rewarding university experience.