The Finns are renowned for their lateral thinking when it comes to education. After all, did they not introduce the 
concept of twinned teachers 40 years ago, and are their schools not now judged the most successful in the world in terms of specific learning skills? This time the Academy of Finland has turned its eyes upon university social life – the student activity most frowned upon by some educators and parents as being a waste of time. But is it?
For as many years as their have been universities, academic failures have been blamed on too much time spent partying, as opposed to studying and preparing for examinations. Most of us who had opportunities for higher education will recall the student who studied until late at night, scored top marks and then went on to achieve similarly great successes in later life. Does this 
mean that fun is a subject that should not be part of university life? Ought students to be locked away in dorms to study until early morning too?
The Academy of Finland (and who would normally argue with such an august body) has discovered that the social strategies that students learn at university can have a beneficial impact in later life. After all, this is the first time that many are away from home and have to make their own choices about how they choose to spend their time.
According to Principal Academy of Finland Investigator Dr. Katariina Salmela-Aro, the main finding was that the 
higher the initial level of social optimism and the bigger the increase during university studies, the greater the level of early-career work engagement, dedication and career-related commitment. The study defined work engagement as a positive, motivating work-related state of mind characterized by vigor, enthusiasm and dedication. A complementary conclusion was that social withdrawal at university correlated with distanced attitudes to work and greater likelihood of burn-out and exhaustion.
In other words, having social fun at university produces more successful workers. What a good idea, I hear at least some students saying.
The longitudinal study of the lives of 292 students at Helsinki University spanned 18 years. Researchers concluded 
their report by stating that good interpersonal skills, an active social approach and a sense of community and involvement can equip students with the personal resources necessary in making the transition to everyday work and the competitive world of career-making.
Perhaps more attention should be paid to student community life after all? But, should this be restricted to orchestrated events on campus, or might students spend more time partying in town as part of their university social life again? After all, James Howell did write in 1659 that all work and no play make Jack, and Jill presumably a dull boy or girl and he did not discriminate. Is there nothing new under the sun?
