Introduction:
Ensuring student well-being has become increasingly important within the education sector, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, a robust student experience and well-being strategy are essential. Why? So, colleges and universities can enhance the overall educational experience to ensure students are given the best chance to succeed. Here, we explore the significance of prioritising student well-being and offer solutions to enhance a better educational experience, helping you to attract and retain a diverse population of students.
Table of contents:
- How are student well-being issues impacting colleges and universities?
- Why is student well-being important? What are the consequences of neglecting it?
- What is the impact of student well-being on learning and student success?
- How do you support student mental well-being and improve retention rates?
- How can a student well-being survey enhance support and learning success?
- Best practices and ideas to improve student wellbeing
How are student well-being issues impacting colleges and universities?
Higher education institutions face significant challenges in promoting student well-being. According to findings from NHS Digital, 1 in 4 young people (17-to-19 year-olds) now have a probable mental health disorder. Results looked at views on experiences of family life, education, household circumstances and employment.
Additionally, young people with probable mental health disorders are twice as likely to experience online bullying. This underscores the urgency for educational institutions to take proactive measures in supporting student well-being to enhance their overall educational experience and maximise their chances of success in life.
A recent study found that 63% of students reported overwhelming anxiety, and 41% experienced depression to the point of impaired functioning. These statistics highlight the pressing need for institutions to address these mental health concerns. Neglecting student well-being can result in reputational damage and decreased retention rates.
Why is student well-being important? What are the consequences of neglecting it?
Student well-being is crucial in education as it profoundly impacts learning and the overall success of both students and educational institutions. Neglecting student well-being can result in detrimental consequences such as declining academic performance, low student engagement, increased absenteeism, and higher dropout rates. Moreover, it can harm the reputation of the institution and lead to financial instability.
Furthermore, an alarming factor to consider is the incidence of self-harm and suicide among students in higher education. The current suicide rate for students in England and Wales stands at 3 deaths per 100,000 students. This highlights the grave repercussions of educational institutions failing to implement a robust student well-being strategy.
Colleges and universities can benefit in numerous ways by regularly measuring and monitoring student well-being and providing necessary support.
Benefits of measuring and monitoring student well-being:
✓ Enhance the student experience.
✓ Create best chances for success.
✓ Mitigate reputation risks.
✓ Maintain high retention rates.
✓ Attract more new students.
✓ Improve enrolment rates.
Prioritising student well-being fosters a healthier and happier student body, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the entire institution.
What is the impact of student well-being on learning and student success?
Student well-being greatly impacts learning and student success. A positive and supportive learning environment profoundly influences academic performance, engagement, and retention rates. When students feel happy, engaged, and supported, they are more likely to thrive academically. Conversely, a negative and unsupportive learning environment can contribute to heightened stress and anxiety, adversely affecting learning outcomes and academic performance.
Prioritising student well-being brings advantages to educational institutions as well. By fostering a positive learning environment that promotes well-being, institutions can experience higher retention rates, improved student satisfaction, and better financial stability. Creating an environment where students feel supported and valued not only benefits individual students but also contributes to the overall success of the educational institution.
How do you support student mental well-being and improve retention rates?
To support student mental well-being and boost retention, educational institutions must develop a reliable student experience strategy. Your strategy should include proactive measures that address key wellbeing issues, such as providing counselling services, sufficient mental health resources, and stress management programmes. Additionally, educational institutions should look to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment that fosters positive relationships between students, faculty, and staff alike.
How can a student well-being survey enhance support and learning success?
A student well-being survey is a powerful tool that can help institutions provide the support students need and improve the overall experience. A survey can provide insights into the specific needs of the student population, identify potential areas of improvement, and assess the effectiveness of current support services. By gathering this data, educational institutions can develop evidence-based strategies to enhance well-being and ultimately create a more positive and supportive learning environment for all.
Measuring the student experience or monitoring student well-being is essential, but understanding how to interpret the data and what to do with it is even more critical. That’s where insight6 can help. Our total feedback solution, instant insight, is an easy, cost-effective way to regularly and consistently analyse the feedback from your students and can be used as an important tool for monitoring well-being.
Using instant insight will:
✓ Allow you to gain student feedback.
✓ Help you gain employee feedback.
✓ Monitor admissions & open days.
✓ Track course satisfaction.
✓ Analyse/report on student well-being.
✓ Benchmark against your competitors.
✓ Increase positive online reviews.
Best practices and ideas to improve student wellbeing
Improving student well-being requires a proactive approach and implementing best practices. Key considerations include reviewing the current institutional setup and asking important questions about student well-being. It is crucial to provide adequate mental health resources, stress management initiatives, and foster an inclusive environment that actively listens and responds to student needs. Establishing effective communication and engagement processes is essential for educators to truly enhance student well-being.
insight6, as a partner to various UK higher education institutions, focuses on elevating the student experience to improve overall satisfaction, retention rates, and attract prospective students. Our comprehensive feedback solution, instant insight, enables institutions to regularly analyse feedback from students and employees, gaining valuable insights for informed decision-making and positively impacting the student experience.
In summary, addressing student well-being is vital for educational institutions. The consequences of neglecting student well-being can be devastating for all involved. Proactive measures and effective feedback systems are crucial for continuously improving student well-being. At insight6, we help colleges and universities deliver impactful student experiences, support well-being and drive real institutional growth.
Don't let the cost of unhappy or stressed students ruin your reputation or impact your institution's success. Get in touch today to arrange a no-obligation chat with your local CX specialist or to arrange a free demo of our total feedback solution - instant insight.