Resilience: Wellbeing in Action for College StudentsZSR Conversations and Connections April 5, 2014 Penny Rue, Ph.D., Vice President for Campus Life

Vice President for Campus Life

The voice of students at the Cabinet Student engagement and ownership Education outside the classroom Campus climate and community Strategic leadership for student

life departments Student well-being and safety

Which Factor most affects Academic Performance?

1. Stress2. Anxiety3. Sleep difficulties4. Extracurricular activities5. Cold/sore throat/flu6. Depression7. Concern for a friend or family member8. Internet use/computer games

1. 39%2. 29%3. 26%4. 22%5. 19%6. 14%7. 12%8. 12%

Student well-being hurdles

The fog of depression

What % of college students “felt so depressed it was difficult to function”?a. 10%b. 20%c. 30%d. 40%

Foundational Support and Response

Student well-being strategies

Sleep and the college student

In the past seven days, how many days did the majority of students say they felt tired, dragged out, or sleepy during the day?a.0 daysb.1-2 daysc.3-5 daysd.6+ days

Exercise recommendations

The American Heart Association recommends moderate intensity aerobic exercise for 30 minutes 5 days a week, or high intensity aerobic exercise for 20 minutes 3 days a week

What % of Wake Forest students meet these goals?a. 20%b. 40%c. 60% d. 80%

Stress producers

They worry about parents:Pleasing Being respectedNot meeting your expectationsNot being a burden

They’re inundated:A challenging economyMethods to disconnect from themselvesSuperficially connect with othersMissed opportunities to improve tolerance of themselves and learn to problem solve

The anatomy of stress

– read over notes again– read over descriptions of

articles– go over flash cards– read How Sociologists do

research– go over flash cards again– go over descriptions of articles

again– read notes again– review research methods– go over flash cards

Balance and resilience

What builds resilience?

The American Psychological Association notes the heightened need for resilience in today’s rapidly changing world.

They suggest:

Nurture close relationships See crises as manageable Seek opportunities for self-discovery Develop realistic goals and move

towards them Keep things in perspective Maintain a hopeful outlook

The Center for Creative Leadership recommends mindfulness strategies to focus attention in positive ways

Wake makes a splash!

Human beings, not human doings

Faculty Fellows Program

Specialized Support Services

We plan to Thrive!

Thrive empowers Wake Forest faculty, staff and students to live in alignment with the eight dimensions of wellbeing: physical, spiritual, social, intellectual, emotional, occupational, environmental and financial.

Wellbeing is not the absence of disease, illness and stress but the presence of purpose, joyful relationships and healthy habits. Wellbeing is intentional.

How will we know?

A research team of faculty and administrators are creating a measurement strategy based on the latest wellbeing research

Conceptual Model

Well-Being Mediators: Skills, Habits, Behaviors, Attitudes,

Beliefs, Expectations, and Resources

Wellbeing Outcomes

Student Focus Group Reynolds Gym/Wellness Center Word Clouds

Before and After

What’s next?

Resilience: Wellbeing in Action for College StudentsZSR Conversations and Connections April 5, 2014 Penny Rue, Ph.D., Vice President for Campus Life