HOME PREFERRED, MORE STRESS, AND PRICIER BEERS: STUDENT LIFE AFTER CORONA
The results of The Great Antwerp Student Survey are in. This survey takes place every four years and rightfully puts the spotlight on you. For this edition, the focus was on the post-COVID era: we delved into your mental well-being, financial situation, and student life. Curious about how you’re faring these days? Keep reading!
The Great Antwerp Student Survey is a collaboration between STAN and the student research team of UAntwerp. In 2023, we fired off a serious questionnaire to Antwerp students (maybe you even filled it out yourself!) to find out what’s going on. For once, it’s all about you. This edition focused on student life after Covid: we probed into your mental well-being, financial situation, and student life.
The big conclusion? Student life has changed drastically since Covid-19. This obviously doesn’t come as a surprise, but it’s important to delve into the specific changes and who felt the impact of the rona the most. We divide the results into three major domains: the social, financial, and mental well-being of Antwerp students. Let’s talk (some serious) facts.
STAYING IN IS THE NEW GOING OUT
Our comfort zone is more sacred than ever. It’s a clear trend: we choose pajamas over parties. A whopping 50% of participants found “quietly staying home alone” to be one of the most enjoyable evening activities. In the study, they refer to this as social reservation: 1 in 3 people are more inclined to stay home after corona and can enjoy it. This doesn’t mean that students are dissatisfied with the offerings in Antwerp: there are plenty of cafes and parties, as confirmed by the avid party-goers. However, there is a greater demand for more student-oriented daytime activities (finally, 8 hours of sleep!) and for more events where alcohol is irrelevant.
The study also discusses the pros and cons of lecture recordings. Naturally, students appreciate the flexibility, as it allows them more freedom to schedule student jobs, which is important for many students. However, we also see that online classes can increase social isolation: you attend class less, therefore you meet fewer people, which in turn makes you less willing to attend class. Online classes should therefore definitely not become the norm.
INFLATION AFFECTS ALL STUDENTS
Almost all Antwerp students believe that the cost of living has increased. This is particularly noticeable in supermarkets, but also in cafes and nightlife. Additionally, electricity, gas, and wifi costs have risen. A large number of Antwerp students are now struggling with financial problems: educational institutions notice this through the increasing demand for financial assistance. One student testifies to the significant change over the past year:
“I often have to dip into my savings account. In other years, this was more of an exception.”
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS: MORE THAN JUST A TREND
Mental health among young people has become more discussable in recent years. And the statistics don’t lie: We found that 55% of Antwerp students experience some degree of stress, performance pressure, or anxiety. Despite increasing awareness, seeking help is still a hurdle. Only 13% of surveyed students have sought help. The obstacles: long waiting times and the high cost of professional help. Clearly, something needs to change here.
IN CONCLUSION
Together with the research team, we formulated some conclusions with an eye on the future.
- We emphasize the importance of investing in physical contact and meeting places where students can study, talk, or relax. Ideally, this should be done in a low-threshold manner and without the pressure to spend money.
- Variety in leisure activities can also expand: student life should be accessible and enjoyable, not only for party-goers but also for those who prefer quieter activities, commuting students, and those on the outer campus.
- Mental well-being is more discussable than ever, but utilizing existing services doesn’t seem straightforward. That’s why we advocate for an integrated approach where self-care is one of the many ingredients for a healthy lifestyle. Together, we are strong, and every organization can proactively contribute.
YES, AND?
Yes, we’ve identified a number of things, and what are we going to do about it? Those who know us well, know: for us, it’s not just about results. That’s why we’ve launched a call to develop a program for a warm meeting place for students in TAKEOFF hall: a safer space, an extension of your home or dorm. We aim to create a warm environment where social interaction, preventive self-care as part of a healthy lifestyle, studying, and sharing ideas are central.
