Abstract:

The coronavirus pandemic marked a new era for higher education institutions with massive challenges regarding adaptation to online resources and the implementation of a hybrid education system in low risk areas. Due to rapid changes in all aspects of student life, universities focused on providing the best resources and incentives for student engagement in the hope of reduced drop out rates. But what encourages students to perform well in their tasks and internalize their university affiliation? During the last decades, scholars have researched the best ways to increase student engagement, linking it to student retention and academic performance. Some of the most important contributing elements for student engagement are related to the presence of active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction and a supportive campus environment. Thus, the present paper aims to uncover the role social interactions, student dorm room accommodation and other university experiences have on student motivation to learn and strive for performance. Based on over 100 questionnaire responses from Romanian 1st-year students that benefited from a hybrid education system in an engineering university, student perceptions are delineated and thoroughly analysed. Results are discussed and managerial directions for higher education specialists are delineated.

Keywords:

Student dorm room, social relations, collaborative learning, supportive campus environment.