New university students recommended to explore the outdoors

Graduates across the UK are encouraging ‘Freshers’ to take a ‘Fresh-Airs’ week and get outdoors to make the most of the areas surrounding their new university towns and cities, with three-quarters (75%) wishing they had done this more, and 95% believing this is important for maintaining good mental health during the university years, according to new research from the rail industry. Furthermore, a third of those surveyed said that being outdoors improves productivity (31%) with 30% agreeing it also boosts concentration, helping university students to reach their full potential.

As a new intake of ‘Freshers’ start university this month, the findings show that not exploring outside their university town or city is a common regret amongst those who have graduated in the last five years. However, a quarter (25%) said lack of money prevented them from venturing further afield – a statistic likely to be exacerbated further by the current cost-of-living crisis.

Respondents said that improved university/life balance (36%), making memories with friends (34%), and broadening horizons and seeing new places (32%) were other main benefits of getting out and about during university – while almost a third agreed it also improves fitness levels (32%).

Aston spoke to Seb Gordon from the UK Rail Industry.