by Tracey A. Smith
June is a month for graduations and the start of
summer. For parents getting ready to send their High School Seniors off to
college – or to send older students back to campus for another year this August
– you may have a lot of questions about how you can best assure your child’s
well-being when they are no longer living at home. If you are a student trying
to choose the right college campus setting, you may be curious about how
universities are similar and different in addressing your wellness and
promoting positive wellbeing. We may have heard a lot about stressors and
challenges facing students on college campuses all over the country but less
about programs specifically geared to support students with these challenges.
You may be asking … how does a university address college students’ needs while
upholding their mission and values? What resources or strategies does the
university have in place that can assist with college students’ well-being? What
opportunities will there be for college students to grow in their self-care?
What's happening on university and colleges
campuses these days? Quite often you will find that student health, wellness
and recreation centers are the hub for student health and engagement. Most
universities provide a holistic approach to campus living, working, and
learning. For many students, this may be their first time living away from
home. For some, it will be their first time independently exercising life,
problem-solving and decision-making skills. The Wellness programs and
activities found on college campuses support students in making positive behavioral
and lifestyle changes.
Universities’ comprehensive health and wellness
services will include programs geared to support students in areas such as:
·
alcohol & substance
abuse
·
healthy relationships,
including information about dating violence
·
women and men’s health, including
sexual health
·
managing anxiety and depression
·
nutrition, finances, and
tools for life after graduation
·
managing stress and anger
Most college campuses include free counseling
services for students. This is an important resource to support students in
navigating the many changes and challenges they face during this time of
transition. In addition to counseling services, academic advisors, professors,
and residence life staff can provide additional support.
I have the unique opportunity to be a Life Coach
on a college campus. It is a very rewarding experience, being employed by a
university that values health and wellbeing. The service allows me the
opportunity to help students navigate the college experience from freshman year
to senior year. I assist the students in all areas of wellness, not just
academic (intellectual wellness), but the whole student (emotional, spiritual,
interpersonal, and physical). I am able to witness tremendous growth and
development as students find their way in living their lives on their own terms.
It is energizing to coordinate and provide programs that encourage this
transformation.
Universities experience many challenges in light
of the high levels of stress impacting our society. Challenges to academic
success can include finances, poor sleep, unhealthy relationships, unhealthy
and addictive use of social media, depression, anxiety, poor nutrition, trauma,
and family issues. There is hope. It is encouraging to observe greater
engagement of students in health and wellness programming that supports their
needs. Below are some practices that have been documented to support healthy
living on campuses.
Students
First
Student-driven programs and activities work the
best. Students have formed Wellness Ambassador and Peer Education Groups and have
designed and implemented special events from physical challenge activities and
“healthy campus” weeks to mindfulness activities. The use of Health and
Wellness Surveys can provide staff with vital information about student interests
and needs.
Collaboration
Calling All Practitioners! Most universities draw
upon the expertise of outside health practitioners in order to provide
additional wellness services and speaking engagements. This can include wellness
education, counseling, yoga, trauma informed services, health education, and
spirituality.
Campuses often offer a multitude of services,
organizations, and events that can be used to support wellness. These can
include student health services, campus life programs, student organizations,
athletics, dietary services, career services, environmental services, disability
offices, and LGBTQ/diversity groups. Collaboration may also appear as an
intergenerational program that includes employees, students, community members
and the online community. Thinking broader, collaboration may include linking
with larger nonprofit agencies such as Michele Obama’s Partnership for Healthy
Campus Initiative https://www.ahealthieramerica.org and National Consortium for Building Healthy Academic
Communities https://healthyacademics.organd the
Community
Integration
Developing community partnerships is the key.
This enables you to provide more comprehensive health and wellness services. Most
colleges have strong alliances with outside healthcare agencies that help them
to best meet the needs of students, staff, and faculty.
In conclusion, college campuses provide young
people with the information, strategies, and supports that can serve as the
foundation for a lifetime of healthy life practices, relationships, and resiliency.
We can encourage students to make connections, access the services available,
and experiment with new wellness practices can empower them to launch into the
world as happy, healthy, and resilient adults. Ultimately, this benefits young
people and also their families, friends, coworkers, and the communities in
which they live.
Tracey A. Smith, M,Ed., CTRS, owner of Wellness W.R.K.S. LLC
is a Certified Recreational Therapist, Wellness Lifestyle Management Educator,
and Trainer. She is also a Life Coach at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.
Enthusiastically, she provides wellness education programs, workshops, trainings,
conferences & retreats to companies, schools and community organizations to
promote self-care and well-being. She specializes in Workplace Wellness and
team-building for remote employees. To learn more about Tracey and how you can
bring her creative, experiential workshops and consultations to your agency or
business, contact her at tracey@wellnesswrksllc.com or 215-605-3221 or
visit her website [Insert link to: https://www.wellnesswrksllc.com/].
