The Importance of Measuring Adult Wellbeing for College Students

As college counselors and leaders, you understand the myriad challenges students face while navigating their academic and personal lives. With the pressures of coursework, social dynamics, and the transition to adulthood, it’s crucial to prioritize their overall wellbeing. Understanding and measuring adult wellbeing is vital for college students, as it provides insights into their mental, emotional, and physical health—think of it as a BuzzFeed questionnaire designed just for them! This engaging approach helps students thrive in both their academic and personal lives while making the process fun and relatable.

Why Measure Wellbeing?

Assessing wellbeing provides students with a comprehensive understanding of their current state, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. This self-awareness is pivotal, encouraging students to reflect on their habits, relationships, and coping strategies. As counselors and leaders, fostering this awareness can empower students to take proactive steps toward achieving balance and flourishing in their college experience.

Introducing SEW Balance: The Secret to Everyday Wellbeing

As an experienced clinician, I recognize the unique challenges that college students encounter. That’s why I developed the SEW Balance Assessment, a robust tool designed to measure 15 critical factors of adult wellbeing. Rooted in positive psychology, this assessment offers students a snapshot of their overall wellbeing at any given moment, allowing for targeted support.

The 15 SEW Factors encompass a range of elements essential for a balanced life:

VITAL FACTORS

• Sleep

• Nutrition

• Physical Activity

• Stress Management

• Schedule/Routine

CENTRAL FACTORS

• Core Supports

• Spiritual Connection

• Culture & Community

• Gratitude

• Mindfulness

INTENTIONAL FACTORS

• Personal Responsibility

• Self-Awareness

• Optimism

• Technology Use

• Time in Nature

By integrating these factors into your counseling practices, you can guide students in making informed decisions to enhance their overall wellbeing.

Action Steps for Improvement

Upon completing the SEW Balance Assessment, students receive personalized action steps tailored to their results. These actionable strategies empower them to focus on specific areas that can improve their wellbeing. Whether it involves incorporating mindfulness practices, enhancing social connections, or adjusting nutrition and exercise habits, these steps serve as a roadmap for positive change.

Furthermore, students receive their custom results report in their inbox within minutes, allowing for immediate access to their insights and the tools they need to implement their personalized action steps. This tailored approach not only raises awareness of their wellbeing status but also provides them with practical strategies to make meaningful improvements.

A Free Resource for Students

The SEW Balance Assessment is available for free on the SEW Balance App, making it an easily accessible resource for all college students. By promoting this assessment, you can encourage students to engage in their wellbeing journeys actively, fostering a culture of mental health awareness on campus.

Incorporating wellbeing measurement into the college experience empowers students and supports your efforts in creating a more holistic approach to student development. By encouraging conversations about wellbeing, we can collectively dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health and cultivate a supportive community for all.

Conclusion

As college counselors and leaders, your role in advocating for the wellbeing of students is crucial. The SEW Balance Assessment offers a unique opportunity to help students gain insights into their overall wellbeing, empowering them to make positive changes and cultivate a balanced lifestyle.

I encourage you to promote the SEW Balance Assessment as a valuable resource within your institutions. Together, we can support students in creating a healthier, more balanced college experience, ultimately enhancing their academic success and personal growth.

By Lepa Modie, SEW Balance Founder & Licensed Therapist