# Exploring the Impact of Thermal Environment on Student Well-Being in Sustainable Campus Settings
## 1 Introduction and Background
Heat strain during physical activities is higher in the late afternoon compared to the morning, particularly in environments without airflow or air conditioning [43]. Research on students in outdoor environments found that neutral thermal sensations were experienced at 24 \({}^{\circ}\)C during summer, with increased thermal strain observed during late afternoon activities [44]. A socio-ecological model of outdoor thermal perceptions has suggested that physical factors have a medium influence, while psychological factors have a lower impact on thermal comfort [45]. The UAE has experienced significant economic and urban growth since 1971, but this has also led to environmental challenges, such as high carbon emissions and energy consumption [46]. Campuses in Al Ain, for example, face extreme temperatures, often surpassing 45 \({}^{\circ}\)C in August, which can lead to incipient heat stress [4]. Understanding outdoor thermal conditions in these educational institutions is essential for promoting health and well-being, in line with SDG 3. Design elements such as shading and thoughtful outdoor space planning can improve thermal comfort in hot, humid climates [47; 48]. Additionally, the UAE's focus on sustainability aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), with higher education institutions playing a key role in integrating sustainability into campus activities, teaching, and research [6]. Despite valuable research in this area, there remains a gap in understanding how clothing color, landscape design, and time of day interact to influence thermal comfort in hot climates, particularly on university campuses. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the effects of these factors on students' thermal perceptions and well-being. Specifically, this study aims to investigate the impact of environmental factors, including abaya colors (black, white, light brown), time of day (morning, afternoon, evening), and landscape sites(naturally shaded, artificially shaded, unshaded), on psychological perceptions among female students at the UAEU outdoor campus during both the summer and spring seasons. Moreover, the research seeks to understand variations in psychological perceptions such as body fatigue, eye fatigue, body heat, skin dryness, thermal discomfort, desire to escape, site unattractiveness, and unproductivity. By gaining insights into these perceptions, the study aims to enhance our understanding of thermal comfort and well-being in educational settings, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The key objectives and hypotheses are as follows:  
**H1:**: _Abaya color (black, white, light brown) significantly affects various psychological perceptions among students during summer and spring seasons, thereby impacting their health and well-being (SDG 3)._
**H2:**: _Landscape site type (naturally shaded, artificially shaded, unshaded) significantly influences psychological perceptions among students during summer and spring seasons, contributing to the creation of sustainable and livable educational environments (SDG 11)._
**H3:**: _Time of day (morning, afternoon, evening) significantly impacts psychological perceptions among students during summer and spring seasons, influencing their overall comfort and productivity in outdoor settings (SDG 3 and SDG 11)._