Mentimeter helps to get direct inspiration for the discussions that will follow. What does well-being mean to you? As soon as the participants participate via their telephone, their answers appear on a large screen in a word cloud. The terms that are mentioned more often are shown larger: ‘happiness’ and ‘safety’. But there are also terms like ‘balance’, ‘freedom’, ‘health’ and ‘no stress’, among other things. Another question: "If you have ever felt stress, what was the main cause?" The term ‘deadlines’ is at the heart of the word cloud, but ‘pressure’ and ‘fear’ are also mentioned multiple times. With this input, the group discussions start and the participants share their struggles. Patrick Luu, a Communication student at HAN who’s doing an internship in Eindhoven is also present tonight. He appreciates the event: "Here it is a safe place to speak about the challenges you face without being judged for it or feeling like you are a burden."

Saying ‘no’

During the group discussions, it becomes clear that the toughest challenge is to say 'no'. A recognizable issue for many. But as the group agrees philosophically: if you always say ‘yes’, it is sometimes a ‘no’ to yourself. Something to think about. Furthermore, various people mention sleeping problems due to being constantly busy in their head with things that have to be done, as well as people who mention having difficulties setting priorities. And then there are also just too many (fun) things to choose from, every day. That also puts pressure on you, according to a few.

There is a large cross on the ground: on the x-axis the study-related versus non-study-related problems and on the y-axis the solvable versus non-solvable issues. Students may place the card with their challenge(s) on or around the cross where it fits best. Fortunately, very few people put their struggle(s) in the direction of the unsolvable corner. About a quarter is study-related, another quarter is not and the rest is exactly on the center line.

Working on well-being

Groep-één | ESR’s chairman, Naomie Amsing, is part of her party's well-being taskforce and finds it important to put this topic on the agenda. “I have had problems with my mental health as well, but I now know that I am good enough. I want it to be more generally accepted to sometimes just have a problem. And you can fix it, but you don’t always have to.” Ana Pereira from co-organizer TINT believes it is important to have tonight’s initiative. "If we are better aware of what students struggle with and what they need, it can help to find solutions and also to organize related activities with TINT."

Rachel Philips, student psychologist at the TU/e is also present during the brainstorming and notices that there are enough challenges that do not only apply to students, "such as trying to find balance. Certainly these days when there is so much out there to choose from.” Chemistry student Limi Kalapurackal recognizes that. “I feel a lot of pressure in various aspects of my life. I am so busy that I often don't have time to reflect on myself. During a discussion like this you start to think more about it and I think it is good to hear the experiences of others. It would also be good if the ways that lead to help become more visible, because they may not be known to everyone yet."