What is student well-being?
Student well-being is essential for the learning process and personal development of students. It encompasses mental, physical, social, and cognitive well-being and promotes resilience, balance, and contributions to the community.
Student well-being can be defined as a state in which students are able to fully utilize their potential, effectively manage the challenges and stress of student life, and contribute productively to their personal and academic development. It involves balancing the positive and negative aspects of student life and fosters participation in both the academic community and society. Student well-being goes beyond mental health; it also includes physical, social, and cognitive well-being. It is characterized by resilience, creating an optimal environment for personal growth, academic development, and the promotion of student success. (Universities of the Netherlands, 2022).
The importance of student well-being in higher education
Good education, as described by educational theorist Gert Biesta, combines three key functions: qualification (providing knowledge, skills, and attitudes), socialization (introducing students to societal traditions and practices), and personal formation (focusing on developing as an independent).
In higher education, it is therefore important to not only focus on subject matter and academic skills, but also on the student as a person, and their part in society. Examples include linking personal and professional development of students, as preparation for the job market or integrating Inner Development Goals into the curriculum.
Environmental factors influencing student well-being
The Dutch National Education Research Organization (NRO) identifies six key environmental factors that impact student well-being and are directly relevant for teachers: sense of belonging, social and academic integration, study climate, performance pressure, social contacts, and education policy.
Sense of belonging: A key to well-being
A key predictor of student well-being is the sense of belonging—the extent to which a person has a feeling of security and support, and they are part of a community. When students feel disconnected from their studies, it can hinder their learning process. Many students also face performance pressure and stress, which can create a significant barrier to ask for help. Therefore, it is crucial that higher education does not unnecessarily contribute to this pressure but instead supports students and equips them with skills to manage it. Personal contact between teachers and students, as well as peer interaction, can enhance this sense of belonging. This, in turn, positively impacts mental well-being, academic performance, and overall student success.
The role of the teacher in student well-being
As a teacher, you play a key role in student well-being. You are often the first point of contact, and the person students see most frequently. This gives you the opportunity to create a pedagogical climate that integrates personal attention and high expectations while fostering an inclusive learning environment for all students. In this environment, you can help students build resilience and manage stress. Additionally, you can take on a signaling role by recognizing issues affecting student well-being and referring them to appropriate support, such as a student advisor or psychologist.
- Biesta, G. (2015), Het prachtige risico van onderwijs.
- Deunk, M., & Korpershoek, H. (2021). Studentenwelzijn in het hoger onderwijs: Een overzichtsstudie van veelbelovende aanpakken voor docenten(teams), opleidingen en instellingen. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.
- Dopmeijer, J.,Scheeren, L., Van Baar, J., & Bremer, B. (2023). Harder Better Faster Stronger? Een onderzoek naar risicofactoren en oplossingen voor prestatiedruk en stress van studenten in het hbo en wo. Trimbos-instituut, ECIO en RIVM.
- Strayhorn, T. L. (2018) College students’ sense of belonging. A key to educational success for all students. Second edition. Routledge.
- NRO Onderwijskennis: https://www.onderwijskennis.nl/kennisbank/omgevingsfactoren-die-studentenwelzijn-beinvloeden
- Expertisecentrum inclusief onderwijs (ECIO): https://ecio.nl/studentenwelzijn