A Study on the Impact of the Residential College System on Ideological and Political Education in Universities

Abstract

As an innovative model of student management in higher education, the residential college system transcends the traditional boundaries of majors and class structures, extending the educational arena into students’ living communities. This transformation creates new opportunities for ideological and political education by expanding its spatial dimensions and diversifying its methods. At the same time, it encounters real-world challenges such as the inertia of conventional models and the lack of consensus in educational philosophy. This study examines the positive impact of the residential college system on ideological and political education in universities, analyzes the practical difficulties—such as insufficiently smooth institutional transitions and limited professionalization of teaching staff—and further proposes optimization strategies. These include establishing collaborative mechanisms, strengthening conceptual alignment, building a more professional education workforce, and improving evaluation and incentive systems. The study aims to provide theoretical reference and practical guidance for enhancing the effectiveness of ideological and political education under the residential college system.