Students from the University of Bordeaux Montaigne carried out a major survey on precariousness.

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Mehdi Fedouach / AFP

  • Student associations and organizations carried out a major survey on the precariousness of living and study conditions at Bordeaux-Montaigne University at the end of January.

  • Two-thirds of students explain that they are having difficulties, one in two students considering stopping their course in particular.

  • A majority is also in favor of the automatic validation of the first semester.

"We wanted to put figures on this precariousness that many of us experience on a daily basis", this is how Petra Bernus, member of the student association, Onzième Thèse presents this unprecedented survey.

This concerns living and study conditions and was carried out in the second half of January by numerous associations and organizations from the University of Bordeaux-Montaigne.

It was also supported by management because "it was done with great seriousness and method for ultimately significant results", welcomes Lionel Larré, its chairman.

This questionnaire was sent by email to the 18,000 students on campus.

Nearly 5,000 responded, that is to say 25% of the workforce.

“After the dramatic actions we have experienced [suicides and suicide attempts], we wanted to show how much the students are today in great difficulty with a situation that has worsened considerably and the lack of prospects due to the health crisis.

It's not just a feeling, it's a reality!

», Explains Jahan, student elected to the board of directors.

And indeed, the results are final.

One in two students have considered dropping out

First lesson, the undergraduate students who were strongly involved in this survey.

The younger we are, the more worried we are.

Two-thirds of them (66%) say they have encountered difficulties that have disrupted their work in recent months and did not have a dedicated space in which they could isolate themselves to concentrate on their studies.

60% had to deal with technical problems: network (81%), recurring malfunctions of online tools (54%), no computer accessories (20%) or computer (8%) to follow their education remotely in good conditions.

Problems encountered remotely by students.

- Clément Carpentier / 20 Minutes

As a result, one in two students considered dropping out of their course during their first semester and therefore ending their year.

Worse, 73% say they interrupted their year for several days because of low morale or discouragement.

On average, for two weeks.

While most remain motivated, determined and stay the course despite the difficulties (77%), a significant portion (15%) say they are totally unmotivated and especially 7% admit to being on the verge of burnout.

On this survey, this still represents 351 students.

1% of students say they are homeless today

But where the precariousness is even more felt, it is in the living conditions.

43% of students returned to a loved one when their university closed to cope with the difficulties this caused or simply not to be alone.

In terms of food, nearly 10% say they have difficulty eating properly.

The figure goes up to 12% to pay his rent.

And 1% of them bluntly explain being homeless today.

Accommodation, food ... Some students encounter great difficulties.

- Clément Carpentier / 20 Minutes

“These are external sources that cause tremendous anguish and anxiety in these people.

You can see people in distress, ”insists Petra Bernus.

"The government really needs to realize the situation, we have to stop with the support policy and the one-euro meal-type scoops, launches Jahan," it is very insufficient to fight against this precariousness.

We need a break and massive investments ”.

63% would like an automatic validation of the first semester

Finally, the survey also looked at the short-term future of this academic year.

63% of students say they agree with the idea of ​​requesting automatic validation of the first semester from the juries.

An urgent request from the organizations and student associations of the University of Bordeaux-Montaigne.

The participants in this survey also express other wishes: the lowering of the validation threshold for the semester to 8 instead of 10, the implementation of upgrades through tutors or internships, not to put in the program works on suicide, for example, or even to strengthen psychological support.

Our student file

Given the work carried out by these students, the management could soon forward it to the Ministry of Higher Education.

For their part, the associations and organizations of Bordeaux-Montaigne will meet on March 9 for a day against student precariousness, notably with the distribution of solidarity meals.

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