Students spend their free time on pure entertainment rather than self-development.

The survey shows that students mainly spend their free time resting, relaxing and entertaining themselves with activities such as watching movies, listening to music, and using social networks.

That is the result of a survey announced at the 2025 opening ceremony of Ho Chi Minh City National University (HCMUT) this morning (October 20), on the relationship between the use of free time and learning efficiency and satisfaction with university life of HCMUT students.

Some students have incorrect ideas about planning their free time.

This is a research project on the relationship between leisure time use and learning efficiency and satisfaction with university life of students at the dormitory of VNU-HCM. This study provides a comprehensive insight into the leisure time use habits of students living and studying in the dormitory.

The survey was conducted with all students living and studying in dormitories, on the following contents: habits, purposes and attitudes towards students' free time; students' satisfaction with university life; questions assessing students' learning effectiveness and opinions on student support policies.

The survey received more than 21,655 responses from students of member universities of VNU-HCM living in dormitories. Data was mainly collected from first-year students (29.22%); second-year students (26.74%); third-year students (24.38%); fourth-year students (16.01%). Most of the students were from the University of Technology (29.67%); University of Social Sciences and Humanities (21.14%) and University of Natural Sciences (14.82%). Major groups of majors include: engineering (24.74%); languages, economics - management (18.43%); information technology (17.47%).

The survey also showed that the majority of students have free time from 2 to 4 hours per day (accounting for 66.71%); 22.95% of students have free time from 1 to 2 hours per day; 10% of students have less than 1 hour of free time.

The survey shows that students mainly spend their free time resting, relaxing and entertaining themselves with activities such as watching movies, listening to music, and using social networks. This is the most chosen activity, showing the need to relax and reduce stress after stressful hours of studying. Students are also interested in self-development, but the level of interest is still quite modest compared to other activities. Expanding social networks is not much focused on by students.

Nowadays, students spend most of their free time on leisure activities rather than planned or self-development activities. The figures show that students rarely set clear goals, make to-do lists or make specific plans for their free time, and are also limited in time management, exploring interests and arranging activities in a reasonable way.

Students are well aware of the importance of actively using their free time and understand that using their free time effectively can bring happiness and joy. However, some students still have incorrect ideas about planning their free time, thinking that planning their free time is a waste of time. This shows that students do not really understand the benefits of planning. Most students believe that health and social and family factors greatly affect the way they use their free time.

Survey results were obtained from more than 21,655 responses from students from member universities living in dormitories of Ho Chi Minh City National University.

What do students feel pressured about?

In the university environment, students face many pressures during their studies. Most students said that they feel pressure when comparing themselves with their friends and exam pressure. This shows "peer pressure" in the university environment. Overcoming the above difficulties, students still maintain their confidence and determination to study by feeling that they can make progress and achieve good results if they try. Students are confident that they can complete their work effectively.

The analysis showed that students’ positive intentions for their leisure time play an important role in increasing their satisfaction with university life. Students who prioritize “personal development” have higher satisfaction with university life than students who prioritize it less. However, the level of interest in these activities is quite modest.

Finally, the results of the study showed that student satisfaction with university life has a positive impact on students’ ability to concentrate in class. In addition, this factor also has a positive impact on reducing anxiety about tests, exams, grades and peer pressure. This data shows the positive impact of satisfaction on students’ learning performance.

Research results on the relationship between the use of free time and learning efficiency and satisfaction with university life of students at Ho Chi Minh City National University

What suggestions and recommendations does the study make?

From the survey results, the research team made suggestions and recommendations to learners. Specifically, students are giving priority to recreational activities, but not focusing on self-development activities. Therefore, it is recommended that students proactively implement a number of contents: need to pay attention to the balance between rest, recreation and self-development; proactively refer to the school schedule to build a study plan, improve skills in short-term and long-term periods; participate in training courses or specialized reporting sessions on leisure time management and other important skills such as leadership, training in innovative thinking, self-motivation... when there is an opportunity to combine self-building and implementing projects related to leisure time management for better results.

In addition, students also need to build a learning roadmap and extracurricular activities with specific KPIs to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of their own plans and use their time more effectively. Strengthen collective and association activities, increase the spirit of collaboration, build learning ideals and future plans for themselves.

For universities, the research team recommends that the analysis results show that students have an inferiority complex and are anxious when they see their friends have better academic achievements. To solve this problem, departments and training units of the school need to have measures to encourage students to form study groups (which can be supported by senior students) to promote exchange and connection between students. In addition, group leaders also receive benefits from the school or dormitory...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sinh-vien-danh-thoi-gian-ranh-roi-cho-giai-tri-don-thuan-hon-phat-trien-ban-than-185241020085413777.htm