Benefit of Joining University Societies
As we bid farewell to the last Friday of January, we want to share one more interesting episode from The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos. Throughout this month, we've been covering why joining student societies is a great idea for university students. This has ranged from maintaining a healthy work/life balance to fostering social connections and steering clear of burnout. Today, we focus on the significance of having common free time within our circles, drawing historical parallels and contemplating the impact on today's university students.
In the episode I’m sharing today, Dr Santos and her co-host for this episode, Tim Harford (of the podcast ‘Cautionary Tales’), discuss the importance of syncing our rest or free time with that of friends and family. To better understand this topic and back it up with real evidence, they look at some historical examples from Russia, Denmark, and the US. This helps them see what happened when different ways of regulating time off for workers were tried. While the university environment may differ from the corporate world, the stories shared in this episode are relevant for today's students. The lessons learned from the struggles and successes of various nations in regulating leisure time offer valuable insights applicable to those in university environments.
While the focus is on the broader work environment, the parallels to university life are unmistakable. As students navigate the rigorous academic landscape, finding time for relaxation and bonding becomes paramount. The episode serves as a reminder that the benefits of shared free time extend beyond the workplace, emphasizing its relevance within the microcosm of universities across the UK and the world.
The shared pursuit of relaxation within university societies not only contributes to personal well-being but also strengthens the bonds of camaraderie that define the university experience. In embracing the lessons of the past, students can carve out a future that values the importance of shared free time in the journey toward academic and personal fulfilment. You can check out the episode here (and you can see the previous episodes we’ve recommended here and here).
