Stimulate Student Social Activities

A social connection – to the study programme, to peers, and to teachers – supports students’ sense of belonging, motivation and succes. Feeling socially connected and that one belongs in a learning environment increases intrinsic motivation and engagement by making students feel emotionally safe and invested in the work. Belonging reduces stress and cognitive load, supporting concentration and persistence, while social ties supply instrumental help (feedback, study partners) and positive norms that sustain attendance, persistence and effort, all of which boost study performance. These mechanisms together raise participation and persistence, and ultimately learning outcomes and grades.

Therefore, the Faculty of Science wants to support teachers and students who organise events and activities that boost social coherence, and at the same time have educational value, or give students a perspective on a future career. Whether it’s first-year students who are still learning where to fit in at university, Bsc students who are taking their first steps in diverse internships, or MSc students struggling with a final thesis, social support can give a boost.

Check for example this video by Shannon Brady, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology at Wake Forest University (US), who researched the effect of sense of belonging on student success.