How important is a strong relationship with your colleagues for fostering a positive academic environment?

 Creating a positive academic environment doesn't rely solely on good teaching or modern facilities. One of the most influential factors is often something less obvious but deeply felt: the atmosphere among students themselves. The way peers relate to one another—whether through cooperation, friendship, or shared goals—can shape how students feel about coming to class, participating, and staying engaged in their studies.

When students feel connected, they’re more likely to support each other, exchange ideas openly, and approach challenges with confidence. A sense of belonging can ease academic pressure and turn everyday tasks like group work or studying into opportunities for growth rather than stress. On the other hand, when relationships are weak or competitive, the learning environment can quickly become tense and discouraging.

To explore how much this matters to students, we asked: How important is a strong relationship with your colleagues for fostering a positive academic environment? They responded by rating its importance on a scale from 1 to 10.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Among Lithuanian students, 54.2% selected the highest score—10—while the remaining responses also leaned toward the upper end of the scale. Polish students showed similar results, with most choosing 10. Bulgarian students followed closely, with 45.5% rating it 10 and the rest also choosing high numbers.

The conclusion is clear: across all three countries, students strongly believe that peer relationships are a key part of a healthy and motivating academic experience. These connections aren’t just a bonus—they’re a vital part of what makes university life work.

by Sofia Doncheva