Student Panel Surveys

More than half of the respondents indicated that their education had prepared them to become socially engaged engineers (40 out of 70 respondents).

65% of the respondents are unaware of the educational opportunities available to contribute to the community and develop within their own academic and personal spheres. 

Those who are aware or involved in such opportunities are often affiliated with a student association or participate in extracurricular activities such as the Dream Hall, engaging in these endeavors outside of their formal curriculum.

Students expressed that it is somewhat challenging to find the necessary support and guidance within their curriculum for extracurricular activities.  Nonetheless, 54.29% expressed  interest  in  engaging  in  such  activities,  while  17% expressed interest depending on the topic.

In alignment with the role of study advisors, most students expect guidance and advice related to study matters, such as planning, administration, programmes or practicalities. 

When asked what students value most in terms of student guidance, they mentioned:

• Study related advice, clear and concrete answers. 
• Empathy, honesty and listening
• Other aspects such as approach, experience and response. 

Knowledge and information ranked highest, followed by empathy and reliability in terms of what students find important when it comes to student guidance (Springer & Tyran, 2022). Responsiveness and assurance rank lower and lowest respectively. 

Majority of the students who have approached study advisors (69% of 54) at TU Delft, have had positive experiences with study advisors, in terms of empathy, responsiveness and information. 

Overall, the main motivator for students (15 out of 47 responses) were the rewards, consisting of the Bol.com voucher raffle and the sweatshirt after 10 surveys, and the opportunity to give feedback on various topics that are relevant to students at TU Delft.​

Most students find the survey topics to be interesting (55 out of 76 respondents) and find the surveys relevant as well (46 out of 76 respondents).​

Students enjoy the accessible nature of the surveys due to their length and the type and mix of questions that are asked in each survey.​

For future surveys, students have indicated a desire for a Dutch translation of the surveys, a larger number of relevant topics, more clarity on the topic and questions of a survey, and some form of feedback or summary of the results of the surveys they have responded to.

Out of all respondents, 7 have previously participated in a buddy program. None of these 7 respondents have known impactful circumstances. The programs include; the (3ME) Summer Buddy program, (IP/OWee) mentor groups, and Study Buddy.

Most students, both with and without support needs, (56 out of 65) prefer in person meetings with their buddy rather than online meetings.

Students without known impactful circumstances appreciate visible guidance of the buddies by the university more than the students with a support need.

Helping others is the main motivation amongst students to participate in a buddy program (68 out of 281 entries). This is followed by the improving of social/coaching skills, a volunteer's fee, and free lunch.

Out of 65 students, 61 expressed a strong interest in learning more about TU Delft events. The least interest was shown in "Events in other cities" (9 responses).

74% of respondents would like to have access to a campus community platform. Incoming students are eager to meet their peers and current students for guidance before and after joining the university, and this interest is shared by those already studying at the university.

Regarding the usage of the Unilife app, only 3 out of 65 respondents use it. A larger group of 25 have the app on their phones but rarely use it, and the majority were unaware of the app's existence. In terms of usage, the app isn't checked daily by anyone. Out of the three people surveyed, one uses it weekly, another monthly, and the third only occasionally. They assigned an average rating of 6 to the Uni-Life app.

According to students, the most important factors contributing to the feeling of social safety are respect, equality, and listening.

Students would like to see more respect, openness, and understanding in the way that students treat each other.

When asked about what could be improved at TU Delft regarding social safety, the main response from students is inclusivity. Also, collaboration and direction were mentioned as important points of improvement.

Feeling respected, feeling safe, and having trust contribute a lot to a sense of safety for most students (74% out of 58 respondents, 81% out of 57 respondents, and 72% out of 57 respondents respectively).

• Most students indicated being outside, walking, in need of green/nature to recharge themselves. Ways to facilitate this could be, for instance, sharing routes for a walk (with different lengths), sharing some fun facts about the nature around campus, more benches to sit/meet each other, maybe even a “bare foot trail”.

• In terms of connecting with others, students prefer spaces where they can work together, or meet for a small talk, not too formal and made to relax, for smaller groups of people. Study and student associations are also contributing by organizing activities. Connecting with people on a personal level starts with bringing them together.

• Students feel a sense of belonging mostly at their own faculty. X comes second and Echo third.

• In general, students create a sense of belonging by being open and being available for others. And that’s what they expect from TU Delft in terms of making ‘space’ to connect with other students and educators.

Most students (64% out of 61 respondents) signaled that they are happy (☺) with TU Delft’s effect on their overall wellbeing.

• Most students (around 60% of respondents) feel part of a community at TU Delft, and that they belong at TU Delft. Study associations, research groups, especially at AE and BK, were specified as communities students feel a belonging towards.
• Fewer students (around 23% and 15%) indicated that they often feel lonely or disconnected from their families.
• In terms of physical and mental health, students (upward of 34% respondents) felt good about their exercise levels, sleep quality and diet. Around 50% students often felt worried, though only 26% often felt down, and 6.5% felt that they drank alcohol or used drugs more than they wanted to.
• 82% students indicated the study programme is a good fit for them. Most students (upward to 38%) indicated satisfaction with their study fit and progress. 3% (n=2 of 61) indicated that they are considering dropping out of the programme.