Supporting Student Success Through the Learning Well Initiative
Student well-being is critical to academic success. That’s why the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), in collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement and Well-being (SEWB), launched Learning Well—a flexible, research-informed initiative that helps instructors easily support student well-being in any course format.
What Is Learning Well?
Learning Well empowers instructors with simple strategies that improve students’ academic, mental, and emotional well-being. When students feel better, they learn better. Reducing stress and increasing engagement creates a positive cycle that supports students’ academic performance and persistence.
Five Small Actions, Big Impact
The initiative centers on five practices shown to enhance well-being and learning:
- Syllabus Statement on Well-Being:
Acknowledge the importance of wellness directly in your syllabus. - Moment-to-Arrive Slides:
Start class with a calming pause to help students transition into learning. - Growth Mindset Reminders:
Reinforce the belief that abilities develop through effort. - Opportunities to Connect:
Create space for students to interact and build community. - Mid-Semester Check-Ins:
Invite feedback and demonstrate care for students’ experience in the class.
Choose one or try them all—every action helps. “I hope you will consider participating in Learning Well this fall,” said Laurence Jacobs, senior vice provost for Education and Learning. “The five actions are simple, but effective, and the toolkit developed by CTL and SEWB has everything you need to get started.”
Get Started and Earn Recognition
Details about the Learning Well Initiative can be found in Canvas. You will also find the Learning Well Toolkit that contains ready-to-use materials you can download right to your Canvas shell or computer. You can earn Learning Well Tokens and a Learning Well Badge as a way to document how you are supporting student success and well-being in the classroom.
Questions? Contact Amanda Nolen, Center for Teaching and Learning.
Enroll now and review the materials in Canvas.
