The post Infographic by Tiffany Cheng – AI on Campus appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.

The post Good News appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.

The post Donate Books for Read it Forward! appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.

Reading is , many of whom are actively seeking alternatives to  and the mental fatigue associated with constant social media use.

In North America, an estimated , averaging 3.5 to 4.5 books per year, with a preference for physical books. Younger readers are also more likely to purchase books in a bookstore and , which is notable in an era dominated by digital media.

The post New article posted in The Conversation by Dr. Pozzulo entitled, “Is reading your favourite hobby? A new era of book clubs is reshaping how we read” appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.

Prepared & Positive is a half-day forum designed for parents and caregivers navigating youth mental health. The event offers expert speakers, practical strategies, and connections to trusted local supports.

Saturday, April 18, 2026
9:00 AM 鈥� 1:30 PM
Saint Paul University, Ottawa
Free to attend

Register here:

The post Prepared & Positive Half-Day Forum – April 18th, 2026 appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.

The post Infographics by the 2026 Social Psych Seminar Class appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.

The post Why Sleep Matters and How to Improve It By Madelyn Cook appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.

Thriving Through Change: Adjusting to Life as a University Student

By Madelyn Cook

University is a time filled with major life transitions, whether it is moving away from home, meeting new people, managing academic expectations, or determining future career paths, we, as students, are overwhelmed with many changes all at once. While these transitions can be exciting and full of opportunity, from my experience, this is a time that can also feel stressful and demanding. Learning how to adapt to change is an important skill that helps students grow both academically and personally. Three key strategies that I found helped me adjust to life’s transitions during this challenging time were: building social support systems, creating a new routine and reframing how I viewed the transition itself.

Building a strong support system is a key factor for navigating transitions of any kind successfully. During times of change it’s easy to feel isolated or disconnected, especially for someone moving away from home like myself. Staying in touch with family, maintaining friendships and forming new connections on campus can make a significant difference in your mental health and the stability of change. Within the first few weeks of University, even though I was uncomfortable and nervous, I pushed myself to attend residence and greater campus events. What I found out is that they ultimately created a space for me to make connections with people I’m still friends with today in my fourth year! Through this, I created a foundation of people I could reach out to during stressful periods which made things feel more manageable and reminded me I was not alone.

I worked hard to develop a healthy routine; after some trial and error, that seemed to work best for me. Creating this balance allowed me to have a sense of control and created stability during times that felt uncertain and scary. With my new university schedule being less structured than in high school, I had to manage my time differently. I established habits like setting aside time for studying, building in physical activity regularly and ensuring that I got enough sleep (which was hard)! This helped with both my productivity and mental health. I also built in time for gratitude; in fact, I began a gratitude wall where every day I wrote one thing on a sticky note that I was grateful for and posted it on the wall in my room. Some days there were more things than others and some days gratitude was simply just the sun in the sky. My gratitude wall is something I have continued throughout my time at 杏吧原创 repeating each year. Establishing even these small routines provided me with a sense of control and predictability that helped me feel secure during this transition.

Practicing self-compassion during periods of stress can be challenging. Many of us place intense pressure on ourselves to perform academically while also balancing social lives, new responsibilities and personal challenges. I believe it is important to remember that no one can handle all transitions perfectly or be immune to the challenges or emotions that come with them. Mistakes, setbacks, and moments of doubt are all part of the learning process, and building resilience to become who you are meant to be individually. It is important to remember to be patient and kind with oneself and recognize personal growth to help reduce stress and build confidence.

Seeking help when everything feels too much is an essential part of adjusting. There are many amazing wellness services and resources on campus at 杏吧原创 including access to academic advisors, counseling services, tutoring programs and career guidance. I wish I had taken advantage of these opportunities more often throughout my years at 杏吧原创. These valuable supports allow students the chance to figure out the right direction with guidance. It is important to remember that asking for help isn鈥檛 weakness, but rather a commitment to learning and evolving.

Maintaining a true sense of perspective can help navigate transitions with ease. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I turn to my support system. My mom still encourages me to think of university in small pieces: in the whole scheme of life, every test, every assignment, and every day are all brief parts in a much larger life journey. While certain challenges may feel overwhelming in the moment, many of them will eventually become valuable learning experiences. Staying open to growth, building supportive relationships, and caring for your well-being can turn life transitions into amazing opportunities for personal development.

Adjusting to change is rarely an easy task; although, it is a meaningful part of the university experience. Through patience, support and self-awareness, you can not only survive these transitions but you can thrive through them. I will leave you with something else my mom always says to me when I feel overwhelmed鈥� 鈥淗ow do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.鈥�

The post Thriving Through Change: Adjusting to Life as a University Student By Madelyn Cook appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.

What Really Helps People Reach Their Goals?

By Mike Sullivan

Teaser: You might be wrong about why you don鈥檛 reach your goals鈥攊t鈥檚 probably not your personality.

Have you ever noticed that you easily achieve some of your goals but fail miserably to make any progress on others? Or maybe it feels like you鈥檙e bad at achieving any goal you set? These feelings are common because most people struggle to achieve their goals.

We often assume that we鈥檙e the problem. 鈥淚 never achieve what I set out to do because I鈥檓 lazy.鈥� 鈥淚 gave up on my goal to get straight A鈥檚 because I鈥檓 not very smart.鈥� Thankfully, recent research from our lab shows these explanations matter much less than people think, and other factors like motivation and planning play much larger roles.

To find out what really helps people achieve their goals, our lab spent years systematically reviewing the scientific research. We collected all relevant studies (over 300!) and put them into a massive spreadsheet so we could identify common factors that help people achieve their goals. A few clear patterns emerged:

1. Many factors influence whether people achieve their goals鈥攂ut most play pretty small roles.
2. Personality factors (e.g., how energetic, hardworking, and emotionally stable you are compared to other people) tend to matter much less than people think.
3. The kind of motivation you have for your goals is important. People are more likely to achieve goals that are personally meaningful, valuable, and enjoyable compared to goals they feel like they should or have to pursue.
4. The amount of effort you put into your goal makes a big difference. This may seem obvious, but it鈥檚 worth stating explicitly. You are far more likely to achieve your goals when you work consistently toward them.
5. Planning is underrated. If you are struggling with one of your goals, try using an if-then plan. For example, if you want to lift weights five times a week, your if-then plan could be: if I get home on a weekday before 6:00 PM, then I鈥檒l immediately go to the gym.
6. It鈥檚 harder to achieve your goals if you鈥檙e not feeling well. Prioritizing rest and other healthy habits makes achieving your goals a lot more likely. 聽聽

So that鈥檚 it, a brief overview of what five years of research tells us will help people achieve their goals.

Next time you notice that you鈥檙e struggling with one of your goals, consider coming back to this list. Remember that even if you鈥檙e in a negative headspace, there鈥檚 a lot you can control. Ask yourself: is this really a goal I personally care about? Am I working hard enough to achieve it? When you stumble, try an if-then plan. And do your best to maintain healthy habits and a balanced life so you can put in a lot of effort to achieve your goal.

Good luck!

The post What Really Helps People Reach Their Goals? By Mike Sullivan appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.

Our very own Megan DeGroot was asked to speak about her research on a podcast! Listen here:

Read the publication here:

DeGroot, M., Archbell, K. A., & Coplan, R. J. (2025). Shy Like Me: Exploring Links Between Coaches鈥� Shyness and Beliefs 杏吧原创 Shy and Exuberant Children in a Team Sports Context. Journal of Sport and Social Issues.

The post MeWeRTH member Megan DeGroot featured on Podcast! appeared first on Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub.