Do you feel that your relationship with your colleagues enhances or hinders your academic performance?

 When we think about what shapes our academic experience at university, our minds often jump straight to lectures, grades, deadlines, and the pressure of exams. But beneath all of that, there’s another factor that deeply influences how we experience student life—our relationships with the people around us.

University is a unique environment where we’re constantly surrounded by other students. Whether we’re spending late nights preparing for group presentations, exchanging notes during lectures, or simply catching up in the hallway between classes, these everyday interactions become a big part of our routine. Over time, these connections can evolve into meaningful friendships—or, in some cases, sources of tension. Either way, they undeniably affect how we approach our studies and how we feel in our academic setting.

In fact, the support and understanding we receive from our peers can sometimes matter just as much as the knowledge we gain in class. Having someone who motivates you, studies with you, or just listens when things get overwhelming can completely change your mindset. At the same time, when relationships with classmates are difficult or competitive, it can create extra pressure and impact focus and performance.

That’s what led us to ask the question: Do you feel that your relationship with your colleagues enhances or hinders your academic performance?
We wanted to better understand the real impact that peer relationships have on students' learning experiences—whether these connections serve as motivation and support, or if they can sometimes make things more difficult.

To explore this, we conducted a survey among students from our three universities.

The results showed that for the majority of students, having good relationships with peers plays a positive role in their academic journey. Among Lithuanian students, 66.7% said their relationships enhance their academic performance. 16.7% responded “no,” and another 16.7% were unsure. Polish students also leaned heavily toward positive answers, with many expressing that peer support keeps them motivated and helps them succeed. Interestingly, Bulgarian students were the most unanimous—100% agreed that strong peer relationships improve their academic performance.

This data shows that, across different countries and campuses, students recognize the value of their connections with classmates. Academic life isn’t just about individual effort—it’s also about the community around us, and how we influence and support one another through the challenges and achievements of university life.

by Sofia Doncheva