Over three-quarters of students are cutting back on socialising due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Other categories that students are cutting back on include clothing and food.
77 per cent of students said that socialising was their main cutback, according to a report published by the National Union of Students (NUS) in September.
The survey detailed the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis on sleep and proper eating, stating that “92 per cent of surveyed students say the cost-of-living crisis had an impact on their mental health.”
This report is in conjunction with NUS’s summer survey, which found that 96 per cent of students and apprentices have cut back on general spending.
These statistics have since raised the question of how much support is available for students, and why socialising has been the primary cutback for students.
University action in response to the cost-of-living crisis has varied, with the University of the Highlands and Islands Outer Hebrides setting up initiatives such as the Comunn Cubby and Student Development Fund, to support students in both material and advisory ways.
The National also reports that the university is “working closely with the Scottish government.”
Other universities have not yet taken action.
Three students, speaking to The Student, when asked about any initiatives run by the University of Edinburgh to help students through the crisis, said that they did not know of any.
The University of Edinburgh has recently announced a cheaper lunch deal and Edinburgh Napier University and Edinburgh College’s students’ association are offering free breakfasts to all students.
The NUS survey has raised questions over whether the student cutback on socialising is significant, as well as whether cutting socialising is the best way of saving money.
Speaking to The Student, first-year student Eva lamented that “people are left with no choice,” when it comes to cutting socialising.
She said that eliminating expenses such as food and transport are not options, and so cutting socialising is “easier.”
Some have felt that action in Scotland has been enough to support students at this time, compared to action in England.
Food banks have been supplying students, especially in major cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow.
One student told The Student that Scotland’s provision of free sanitary products for women has eliminated an expense that they would previously have to stress about.
This report will likely put pressure on universities, governments and councils, and worry mental health and social services.
“Club party” by Vyacheslav Argenberg is licensed under CC BY 4.0
