1 in 2 students are lonely … and it’s fueling the mental health crisis.
Most campuses offer a wide variety of social activities for students to choose from … but these activities don’t necessarily help students make genuine, meaningful connections. In fact, many students struggle to make friends.
Over a series of focus groups, students shared that most of the social opportunities on campus:
Are geared toward extroverts and are uncomfortable for introverts, students on the spectrum, and students with social anxiety.
Are one-off events that don’t help students build ongoing relationships
Don’t facilitate the kind of interactions that help students get to know each other. For example, a speaker or performance that brings people together, but there’s no audience interaction.
This Free “6 Essential Strategies for Building Connection” Worksheet gives a quick overview of how to create programs and opportunities that facilitate connection and community on campus.