Survey shows students are hard-working and tidy
A new survey published this week is set to change the way students are perceived as layabouts with nothing better to do than spend their spare time in the union bar or watching daytime television and skiving lectures.
The research, carried out by Mori for student housing group UNITE, highlights a shift in current student concerns along with the growing trend in political consciousness amongst young adults, many deciding to turn away from the Labour and Conservative parties in favour of the Liberal Democrats.
With an increase in students applying to courses hoping to considerably increase their job prospects, many are turning their attention to getting the most academically out of their university experience, as the rising cost of higher education means value for money is an important factor for today's career minded generation.
Indeed, with the introduction of top-up fees in 2006, a large proportion of the 1,007 students interviewed felt that the extra funding should be channelled into improving current facilities, particularly library resources and, perhaps surprisingly, campus security.
Nearly half of those who took part in the survey have part time jobs, an average of 14.5 hours a week being spent at work in which they can expect to earn around £86, a little more than the £73 monthly average alcohol budget of students.
With their spare time being spent away from studying working, those interviewed were also keen to avoid the further distraction of a healthy love life, some 31% of students being single compared to the 24% who are in a serious relationship.
Despite working and playing hard, today's students appear to be fairly organised when it comes to managing their money with 76% feeling they had money matters under control, although still managing to splash out on the occasional luxury such as DVD and MP3 players. Organisation appears to extend to students' home lives, a surprisingly low 6% of students agreeing hat their room was untidy whilst a majority felt that they had it in good order.
Today's students appear to have made a conscious decision to prioritise their commitments, whether this be work, study or leisure. Despite the misconception that many students live on take-aways, those taking part in the survey appear to be more health conscious, a surprising 40% taking time out to exercise and marry a healthy mind with a healthy body. However, a large number of students, whether they choose to live healthy lifestyles or not, are still drinking in excess of the recommended 21 units of alcohol per week.
The average debt students can expect when they graduate is £9,744, a sum which is set to increase substantially for those leaving university after the introduction of top-up fees. Although a large majority see university as a chance to live away from home and gain some independence, a quarter of students choose to remain with their families to keep costs down. However, these same students are considered by most to be missing out on a vital, if not one of the defining parts, of university life.
With the government set to increase its target of young people entering higher education, many students could be forgiven for believing their degree will be worth less in today's job market than if they were to have attended university twenty years ago.
Despite debt being a somewhat inevitable aspect of today's student life, almost nine out of ten of those interviewed felt that overall they were getting good value for money and that the wider experience university offered was worth the cost. After all, no price can really be put on developing into a confident, self-reliant and informed individual and the potential rewards life at university can bring.
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