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E DUCATION: E DUCATING EXPE RTS WITH INFLUE NCE
Student Life supports students’ wellbeing and study skills STRATEGIC GOAL
The Student Life concept is integrated into the whole formed by teaching, guidance and services, and it reaches all students.
Transitions from one educational level to another are critical phases in the study paths of children and adolescents – one of them being the start of studies at a university. The transition includes new kinds of challenges in studies, living independently, new social relationships and perhaps moving to a completely new locality. For many young adults, this new phase in life is
Goodies are ordinary teachers or employees
a fulfilment of a long-standing dream. However,
of Student and Academic Services.
studies show that many students feel lonely and have a range of pressures related to their studies,
When there are more serious problems related
life management and social situations. For many
to coping or the progress of studies, students
students, studies do not progress as desired and
will be directed to specialised support. This may
they may begin to wonder if they have chosen
include reviewing study skills with special educa-
the right line of study in the first place.
tion experts. Experts from the Department of Psychology and the Finnish Student Health
The Student Life concept of the University of
Service, as well as the university chaplain, help
Jyväskylä is a networked operating model. It offers
in challenges with life management and coping.
students appropriate and timely help and support from the first day of their studies to the day they
The Centre for Multilingual Academic Communi-
complete their degree.
cation (Movi) provides instruction and assistance to students who need support in coping with the
The idea is that all JYU employees contribute to
stress and anxiety of interaction and presentation
Student Life in their own ways. In addition to the
situations. Movi also coordinates the popular
early recognition of problems and early interven-
campus dog programme, in which the wellbeing
tion and support, the aim is to strengthen wellbeing
of students is promoted with the empathy and
and the joy of learning.
presence of care and reading dogs.
An important tool of the Student Life model is the
The foundation of the Student Life operating model
Goodie (Hyvis) network.
is in research data, which has revealed that everyone has a need to be part of a group, develop and
Each department has named persons the students
express oneself as well as feel participation and
can contact when they have questions and worries
acceptance. This makes Student Life a central part
related to their studies or other areas of student life.
of JYU’s strategy of wisdom and wellbeing for us all.
