In the middle of campus Woudestein stands a large white tent. It is the Living Room, which has recently reopened. "Some students may think it is a test location for corona, but it is not. On the contrary, it is a place for students to relax, play games, chat or find a listening ear," says Sigita, student assistant and student host of the Living Room. "Studying is not allowed here. You have to play pool, air hockey or just relax."
Place to de-stress
The Living Room consists of two parts. On one side you can sit, relax, and find information on student wellbeing and personal development. The other side of the Living Room is the active side. Here you will find (social) board games, a table football and a pool table. Air hockey can also be played. "Students can use everything for free. Soon, the massage chairs will return. On the first day, three students asked for them. We also organise activities. In the coming weeks there will be a course in crocheting. That helps enormously against stress. Students are very stressed these days.” There is always a student-host present. Today it is Sigita. "It is so nice when you come in and she is the host. She is there for everyone," says Robin Eijlers, Project Lead Student Wellbeing. Sigita says that they are really here for all students: "It doesn't matter what your background is. Every student can come here."
Students are enthusiastic
The new location of the Living Room was opened during the Student Wellbeing Festival in November 2021. It was all about having fun, relaxing, meeting each other and the personal well-being of students. "It was a great success. The Living Room was a highlight. As many as 1,500 students came in that week. A survey showed that 98% (!) of the visitors thought that the Living Room should remain permanent," says Robin.
Good news! The Living Room is staying. At the end of this year, the Living Room will move to the new multifunctional educational building. Robin: "We get a nice spot on the ground floor. So that it is easy to find and visible for students. Until then, we can stay in this tent on the Plaza."
Getting together with other students
The war in Ukraine is also causing concern among students. In the Living Room this is taken into account. "Someone from the Eastern European Students Association (EESA) comes to the Living Room at certain times. Students who want to can talk about the war with this student. You can talk here, but you don't have to. You can also sit down, relax and take your mind off things," says Sigita, who is in the fourth year of her Double Degree Econometrics & Economics.
Together with two other student assistants and a student committee, Sigita runs the Living Room. "Studying is not allowed here. If we see it, we speak to the person about it. There are plenty of other places to study." Online events are not likely to be seen from the Living Room. "Students are really fed up with that. You want to be together with friends and other students again. Quietly getting back to normal."
Student Wellbeing Monitor
Last year, the first Student Wellbeing Monitor examined how EUR students are actually doing. The results were alarming. "Half of our students are severely lonely. The Living Room is a way to do something about this. We offer a place where students can come together in an accessible way. You don't have to make a reservation and it's free. All students can walk in easily. It does not solve everything at once, but students indicate it definitely has a positive effect," says Robin.
Fortunately, bars, cinemas and sports clubs are open again. Students can meet each other physically again. According to Sigita, we have to be careful with that: "From one moment to the next, everything is open again. We were used to sitting at home. Now we are expected to do all kinds of things outside. People still find that exciting after two years of sitting at home. That can also cause stress and is something to take into account."
Sigita's goal is to make sure that by the end of the year all EUR students know that the Living Room exists and that they are welcome. "Come and have a look to play a boardgame, a game of pool or just relax."
- More information
- The Living Room is open Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 17:00.
- Follow the Living Room on Instagram: @eurlivingroom
- Related content
