When we think about university, we often picture a bustling campus full of life and students! For years, the university campus has been the heart of the student experience. It's where the magic happens (right?). It's where students study, learn, make friends, and feel like they belong to university. But let's face it: things are changing. These days, it seems like fewer students are coming to campus.

Sound familiar? We've all seen how campus crowds thin out after those first exciting weeks. What's happening? Well, students have more access to online resources than ever before, but not only that, they have much more experience in navigating and using those resources for studying. Plus, let's not forget the cost-of-living crisis that's pushing many to juggle part-time jobs with their studies. So, what is the value of the physical campus, then? This question is (again) in the minds of many teachers and staff working at campus-based universities.

Most discussions about attendance or low attendance happen between academics and in the media, with limited attempts to ask students whether they want (or not) to attend the university campus. In trying to find out this, we asked over 500 first-year students about the importance of the physical university campus for their students' life. And, to our surprise, most of them said it's super important.

Why is it important to attend the physical university campus?

First off, being on campus helps them learn better. In-person classes mean they can ask questions on the spot, get instant and (hopefully) valuable feedback about their progress, and really get closer to the subject material. Plus, there's something about that campus vibe - the libraries, study spaces, and chance to work with classmates - that helps to get in the mood of studying and just can't be replicated online. Studying on campus can even help students to get work done and tick off the to-do list of the day, a feeling of productivity and satisfaction so important for those first-year students starting their studies.

But it's not only about learning; it's about learning with others, too. The social side of campus life is huge. Making friends, studying and learning together, even just grabbing a coffee and talking about the classes—these are the experiences that make coming to university worth the trip. For many students, especially those who commute, classroom time might be their main and (only) chance to connect with peers at university.

What does all this mean for us? 

As teachers, let's take a moment and think what we are doing in our classes to provide interesting learning experiences. Are we making campus visits worth the trip? We need to create classroom experiences that add real value to students' learning. We know what students want from their in-person classes; time to ask questions, get feedback and study with other students. So, are we doing some of this in our classes?

And for universities as a whole, it's all about making those first few weeks of the semester count. New students arrive full of excitement and ready to dive in. We've got to tap into that energy with relevant orientation activities and programs that really speak to what students want to study and learn. But also, we've got to offer great first classes with clear expectations and links to students' studies and careers. Let's help students answer questions like; how this introductory and very broad subject/unit would help me in my studies and career? Why do I need to study this? More importantly, why do I need to attend classes to learn this?

The good news is that the physical campus isn't dead—far from it! Students still see it as crucial, especially in that all-important first year. But they're clear about what they want. They're here to learn, and they'll show up when what we offer on campus genuinely supports that goal.

Image source: ChatGPT