With the start of the formal academic year quickly approaching, we’ve got (most of) our wellbeing programs updated. I am confident there is something in there for everyone.
I believe it was the philosopher Socrates who once asked, ‘why should I do one of your wellbeing programs?’
Unfortunately, I wasn’t around at the time to answer him.
Had I been, I’d have said something along the lines of…
- My guess is that you are at university to develop your mind, with the bigger goal of expanding the possibilities of your life.
- No development of the mind is complete without a working knowledge of how to cultivate states of mind that we want, that is, feeling happy, healthy, capable, connected and engaged
- There is a whole curriculum and set of opportunities and resources available to you, that sit outside of your degree, that helps you cultivate such states
- Engagement with such programs and opportunities will help you leave university a more mentally, physically, socially and spiritually well-rounded person
I’d then have directed Socrates to the BetterU website.
Of course, there would be a lot of additional explaining required as to ‘what is a website?’ I guess that’s where this literary adventure I chose to take starts to degrade.
On a serious note though, I’ve been in contact with those running wellbeing programs (including myself) in 2026 to get updated details for their programs for the upcoming year.
There is a webpage (part of BetterU) that lists all of these programs.
We’ve got self-help guides, mailing lists, communities of practice, Oasis Student Wellbeing Centre, ambassador and volunteering programs, mental health first aid, meditations, support groups, prayer rooms, campaigns, conversation groups, forest walks, food, Teams communities, drop-in sessions and more!
Socrates and I reckon you should check it out and see if there is anything here that might enhance your university experience.
I think I have pretty much all of them updated!
