Student Life supports student wellbeing and study skills | MARJA-LEENA LAAKSO

StudentLife supports students’ wellbeingand studyskills

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 a fulfilment of a long-standing dream. However, studies show that many students feel lonely and have a range of pressures related to their studies, life management and social situations. For many students, studies do not progress as desired and they may begin to wonder if they have chosen the right line of study in the first place.

The Student Life concept of the University of Jyväskylä is a networked operating model. It offers students appropriate and timely help and support from the first day of their studies to the day they complete their degree.

The idea is that all JYU employees contribute to Student Life in their own ways. In addition to the early recognition of problems and early intervention and support, the aim is to strengthen wellbeing and the joy of learning.

An important tool of the Student Life model is the Goodie (Hyvis) network.

Each department has named persons the students can contact when they have questions and worries related to their studies or other areas of student life. Goodies are ordinary teachers or employees of Student and Academic Services.

When there are more serious problems related to coping or the progress of studies, students will be directed to specialised support. This may include reviewing study skills with special education experts. Experts from the Department of Psychology and the Finnish Student Health Service, as well as the university chaplain, help in challenges with life management and coping.

The Centre for Multilingual Academic Communication (Movi) provides instruction and assistance to students who need support in coping with the stress and anxiety of interaction and presentation situations. Movi also coordinates the popular campus dog programme, in which the wellbeing of students is promoted with the empathy and presence of care and reading dogs.

The foundation of the Student Life operating model is in research data, which has revealed that everyone has a need to be part of a group, develop and express oneself as well as feel participation and acceptance. This makes Student Life a central part of JYU’s strategy of wisdom and wellbeing for us all.

Marja-Leena Laakso is a professor of early childhood education. In 2017–2022, Laakso is the vice rector responsible for education and its development at JYU. As a professor, her research themes have included early language development, supporting children’s socio-emotional development, promoting children’s participation and hearing their voices, the wellbeing of children and families in a 24-hour economy, parent-child interaction as well as parenting interventions.