New insights on student wellbeing to take in consideration when designing courses, lectures, and interactions with students

My Wellness Check is part of the TU Delft Study Climate Program. Every quarter, an updated iteration of the survey is distributed, in order to identify wellbeing needs and ideas to support student wellbeing at the TU Delft. 

In November 2021, at the end of the first quarter of the academic year 2021/2022, the survey on student wellbeing was distributed to all TU Delft students. The results of the 1492 complete responses were analysed in collaboration with members of the student community.

A positive correlation was found between perceived value in education and academic experience; in other words, those who experience their education as worthwhile, including study materials and interactions with educators, have a good academic experience. It also emerged that most students expect TU Delft to support students' mental health. Other expected areas of support are study environment, academic performance and planning for the future. Pressure to perform and workload were frequently reported as unbalanced. Overall, 45% of respondents consider their stress levels unsustainable. Students are happy with the facilities on campus and there is a wish to maintain the flexibility provided by blended education after the pandemic.

The results are summarised in an infographic which focuses on student needs and what the institution could do to improve the situation. It is presented in a scrollable format to facilitate legibility on a smartphone.

Educators can make use of the insights by taking them in consideration when designing courses, lectures, and interactions with students.

These outcomes are being communicated to a variety of stakeholders in TU Delft, in order to inform policies and interventions for student wellbeing. Aside from advice to TU Delft stakeholders, students can also take action themselves. For this reason, we will communicate positive routines suggested by survey respondents back to the students, so they can personally make a step forward to improve their wellness.

The next iterations of the survey will scale down at a faculty level, deep diving on the most relevant topics in order to promote concrete and targeted actions.

If you have any questions, want more information, would like to join future workshops, or share your ideas, please write to wellbeing@tudelft.nl.