A Head Start: The Academic Benefits of Student Accommodation

Student accommodation has a key role to play in enhancing students’ overall experience whilst studying at university. Past research has consistently affirmed that living within student accommodation is related to positive outcomes for students. As noted by researchers Hamish Coates and Daniel Edwards, “…in the last decade, a substantial body of empirical research has affirmed that it is the ‘whole experience’ that counts for student learning and development, not just what happens in formal instructional contexts.” 

Deakin Res has a long history of providing high quality accommodation and an exceptional student experience. Students who live on campus at are better connected, experience a greater sense of belonging, and are more likely to achieve academic success than their peers.  A longitudinal academic study conducted by Deakin highlights that residential students continue to achieve success and retention rates above their non-residential counterparts. 

Sheridan Finn, a resident at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus, attributes living on campus and a passion for her course, for her excellent academic results, receiving the 2020 Deakin Residences Academic Award for the highest results in her faculty.  

“It’s also taken a lot of pressure off my transition to university. I learnt so much about how university works and how to navigate online materials from the people I’ve met living on campus. Having Residential Leaders (peer student volunteers in the residential community) to ask questions has made me a lot more comfortable and less nervous. As the Res Leaders are students themselves, they’re familiar with the services designed to help with studies. 

Sheridan notes that this is one of the reasons that inspired her to become a Residential Leader in 2021, noting that wanted to be able to “….help new students feel supported in their journey of studying their passion whilst living here.” 

Interested to know more? 

The information detailed above is an excerpt from the first of a series of six research papers being released by Deakin Residential Services this year highlighting the value of student accommodation and the residential experience. Access the full paper, and the series here as they are released.