Young people are particularly perceptive to the changes that occur in society because of their age and social and psychological peculiarities. Their self-understanding, social values and purposes determine the modernisation potential and perspectives of society’s development. The authors of the following article analyse the social well-being of 1st- to 5th-year KFU students using initiative social research. The authors conduct brief analyses of the main approaches to the problem of social well-being. The key aims of the research are to define students’ level of satisfaction with changes in different aspects of university life, to determine the main factors that affect the students’ well-being, and to propose means of improving students’ social well-being. There are many subjective and objective factors that influence social well-being. The field of professional realisation is one of the most important factors that strongly affect youth’s social well-being. The results of the current research demonstrate the youth’s lack of confidence and instability in the labour market, which Социальное самочувствие и ценностные ориентации студенческой молодёжи 44№ 3(10), сентябрь 2014displays serious difficulties in youth employment and professional realisation. The paradox is that a high level of education does not guarantee employment. The risks that are associated with the uncertainty of youth’s opportunities for self-realisation are caused by the imbalance of students’ social position expectations and the resources of various social institutions. The results of the research demonstrate the trends of youth social well-being, showing youth opinions and mental style, and bring attention to the aspects of social tension and social health, the future of youth and a country’s development.

social well-being, educational process, social mood, social values, professional realization, social activity