In this extra post, Abby Cabrelli describes how the School of Biological Sciences launched a weekly Breakfast Club in an effort to build stronger School community and support students through the cost-of-living crisis. Abby is a Student Support Tutor in the School of Biological Sciences.
Breakfast consumption has been associated with numerous benefits, including improved nutrient intake, lower rates of depression, better sleep, and improved academic performance [1]. Despite these advantages, skipping breakfast is a common practice among university students. Recent reports have shown that 52% of Scottish university students have missed a meal due to financial constraints, with one in four doing so regularly [2, 3]. These figures rise even higher among students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
To support students amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the School of Biological Sciences has launched a weekly Breakfast Club, funded initially through a Student Experience Grant. Serving up a variety of cereals, fresh fruit and pastries alongside tea, coffee and fruit juice, the club is open to all our undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, and welcomes around fifty attendees each week.
“I cannot stress how important it was for me, especially when I was running low on the remainder of my loan money” shared one of our students. “On most Mondays, it was the only day where I could have two meals instead of one. The generous spread allowed me to refuel from the weekend and prepare for the week too”. Others have noted how the club motivates them to arrive on campus earlier, boosting productivity, and many express how much they look forward to it each week.
Building a stronger School community
In addition to relieving some of the financial burden of purchasing breakfast, the club serves as a welcoming, social space where students can connect with their peers. This has been particularly valuable for our postgraduate students who can feel isolated from their cohorts during their long summer projects.
“Breakfast Club is a good opportunity to meet up with friends you don’t usually see during your project, and definitely contributed positively to my week” noted one of our postgraduate students. Another agreed, “It was the only time we could see others and catch up with how our projects are going, giving us the space to talk about it outside of our immediate lab environment”.
Several academic staff members regularly drop by for a coffee and a chat, helping to strengthen student-staff connections and enhance the sense of community within the School. The School’s Student Support Team, who manage the club, also use it as a valuable opportunity to check in with students and offer support.
“When I meet with students it’s often at their most distressed, and seeing those same students smiling and enjoying themselves is really wonderful” says Coleman, one of the School’s Student Advisers. “Breakfast Club is a fantastic way to build community with students” adds Andrea, the School’s Student Support Administrator. “It’s an amazing service and the students truly appreciate it”.
The future of Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club has become a cornerstone of student life in the School of Biological Sciences, bringing together students from multiple cohorts in a welcoming and relaxed environment. Plans are underway to develop the initiative through partnerships with local businesses, and its success has already inspired interest from other Schools and programmes seeking to enhance the student experience.
For now, Breakfast Club stands as a testament to the profound impact small, thoughtful initiatives can have on the lives of students by fostering social connections and strengthening their sense of belonging. It is important that Schools, Colleges, and the wider University continue to invest in these initiatives, recognising their vital role in promoting student wellbeing and engagement.
References
[1] Pengpid S, Peltzer K. Skipping breakfast and its association with health risk behaviour and mental health among university students in 28 countries. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity. 2020;13:2889-97. [2] National Union of Students. Fighting for students: the cost of survival. 2023. [3] Russell Group Students’ Unions. Student cost of living report. 2023.
Abby Cabrelli
Abby is a Student Support Tutor in the School of Biological Sciences, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has a particular interest in student development and engagement, and is currently working on several initiatives aimed at enhancing the student experience at the University of Edinburgh. Last year she was awarded a College of Science and Engineering Staff Award for planning and delivering the School of Biological Sciences Breakfast Club.
