The study, based on the participation of 5,828 young people from 26 faculties, corroborates university impressions from recent years, especially since Covid-19, considered a "turning point". Vice-Rector for Students, Rosa de la Fuente, and Observatory Director, Borja Manero, presented the data on November 6th.
Psychological distress triples the likelihood of considering dropping out, while a sense of belonging to the university community acts as a protective factor, reducing the risk of abandonment by 44% for each level of integration. Seven out of ten students state they would choose Complutense University of Madrid again.
The economic situation remains a significant challenge, with 42.6% of students having experienced financial difficulties. Only 21.7% currently receive scholarships or aid, and many are unaware of application processes. Housing is another hurdle, as nearly 80% of students who relocated to Madrid for their studies find accommodation costs high, and 70% request more university resources to assist with their search.
Many detected difficulties stem from a lack of awareness about existing services. 53.2% of those unaware of university resources state they simply don't know where to find information, indicating an opportunity to improve communication channels. Student participation, though reduced in cultural and associative activities, is positively valued by 86% of students.
Loneliness affects some students, particularly outside academic hours, and is linked to emotional well-being. 7.4% of students report experiencing discrimination.
The Observatory proposes measures such as an Early Warning System for Dropout, revising information architecture to improve communication about scholarships and services, and an accommodation support plan to "lower the price for our students". The Vice-Rector mentioned the SABIA Program for mental health and the Mentoring Program as key tools.
