This article is part of a running series with Rowan University’s Wellness Center. This collaboration aims to educate students about personal well-being options. For further updates, follow @rowanuwellness on social.
Every year at the start of the academic year, various clubs and organizations at Rowan University host events and opportunities for students to ‘get involved’ and residents to ‘dec their dorms.’ But why is this emphasis on creating a comfortable living space important for student life and well-being? How does it impact academic performance?
According to research and the experiences of those who have participated in various studies, comfort in one’s environment plays a significant role in benefiting mental health and promoting academic success. While many students have learned after years of on-campus living how those experiences have shaped their academic journeys, this discussion will briefly explore what researchers have discovered and then what you can do with your newfound knowledge.
Students’ college experience both in and outside of the classroom, including their engagement in university life and relationships with peers and faculty, is fundamental to their well-being and success (Peltier et al., 2000).
According to the Journal of College and University Housing, where a college student lives influences who they know, and ultimately, the degree to which they can succeed.
A review titled ‘What Matters to Student Success’ also found that residential life plays a crucial role in a student’s well-being and academic outcomes. The others were student development and success. It suggests that a comfortable and well-functioning living environment, along with positive roommate relationships, can contribute to academic engagement and overall well-being (Astin, 1993). In other words, every space you occupy in the university setting, can both directly and indirectly influence your academic success and overall college experience.
Now that we understand the importance of our living environment, here are some steps you can take to make your space more comfortable and conducive to success.
For starters, ask yourself: Do I look forward to going home? Does my space provide me with the comfort I need to feel safe and secure? Have I made an honest effort to create a bond with my roommates/neighbors?
If any of these answers are no, think about what you can change in your routine and/or surroundings within your Rowan University housing to make them yes. Maybe that means starting with some pictures up on your wall, an album cover, or your favorite quote. It can also mean running to a thrift store or ordering online – whichever won’t hurt the pockets, to invest in cozier bedding and your favorite scent for a wall plug-in.
As for making sure your neighbors and yourself are getting along throughout the year and not awkwardly just staring when you pass each other, introduce yourself! Maybe even suggest a hangout or go to any of the many programs hosted around campus. You never know- they might end up one of your closest friends in your time here!
Sources:
https://nces.ed.gov/npec/pdf/kuh_team_report.pdf https://web-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=daacc92c-6229-47ca-8a66-ce967b721472%40redis
Written by: Nardin Salib