Speak Week, a key initiative at Scotland’s Rural College Students’ Association (SRUCSA), serves as a platform for students to voice their opinions, concerns, and suggestions. It’s student feedback such as this that shapes policies, enhances experiences, and drives positive change.

Unearthing the Insights

This year’s Speak Week at SRUC saw an impressive turnout, with 205 responses from students across various campuses. Delving into the data revealed intriguing insights into the student experience at SRUC. From heartfelt praises to constructive critiques, each response painted a vivid picture of campus life.

Clear Themes

Among the myriad of themes that emerged, “Learning and Teaching” stood tall as the most prominent, garnering the highest number of comments. Students lauded the engaging course content, with one remarking, “Learning about what I love.” However, concerns over assessments and delivery methods echoed through the corridors, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach.

Beyond Classrooms

Outside of classrooms, the facilities provided by SRUC played a pivotal role in shaping the student experience. From laboratories to farms, students find joy in their practical learning environments. Yet, challenges regarding food provision and transportation lingered, reflecting the broader struggles faced by students in rural settings.

Support Systems

The unwavering support of staff emerged as an obvious theme in the feedback gathered. “Support staff are excellent,” remarked one student, underscoring the crucial role played by the student support teams. However, calls for more tailored support for disabled students and enhanced mental health services underscored the changing needs of the students.

Moving Forward

In the report SRUCSA identifies actions for itself and recommends actions for SRUC. The report has been sent to SRUC who will respond with their own commitments to actions that address the praises and concerns raised by students during the survey.

Read Further

Intrigued? Dive deeper into understanding student experience by exploring the full Speak Week 2023 report. The report underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue between students and the institution to improve the overall student experience at SRUC.