What is the definition of Academic Wellness?🤔

Academic Wellness is a new term defined by The Academic Wellness Project (TAWP). It is a multifaceted concept encompassing two important topics; academic integrity and mental health.

Academic Wellness

/akəˈdɛmɪk/ – /ˈwɛlnəs/

Noun

The ability to successfully face academic challenges around academic integrity and mental wellbeing.

What is the motivation behind Academic Wellness?🤔

Mental health influences many parts of an individual’s life. For students, that also includes parts of their lives relating to  academia. Similarly, students’ progress in academia also influences one’s mental health. This is the relationship The Academic Wellness Project addresses. 🔗

There are many challenges ✋⛔️ that students may face in their academic journey.

Some examples include challenges around time management, transitioning and adapting to university and its demands, mental health, physical health, relationships, budgeting and financing, and effective studying. 

The COVID-19 pandemic exaggerated these challenges and also introduced new challenges to both students and instructors. Students had to adapt to ongoing instructional and assessment changes triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the ongoing shifts between remote learning and in-person learning, and everything in between. 

Academic integrity specifically is a crucial point whose misconduct may prevent students from continuing their education or negatively impact their education and career choices as a consequence. Academic misconduct may also negatively students’ mental health in terms of stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem and perceptions, and much more.

For these reasons, TAWP highlights that it is important for student affairs professionals and administrators to not only acknowledge the importance of academic integrity and mental wellbeing, but also the stem of current issues around academic wellness.

Visit the Resource Hub for resources that you can and stay tuned for TAWP’s next upcoming projects!