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Well-being in higher education Protecting the well-being of students and academics has become one of the most pressing challenges faced by higher education institutions. The ripple effect of the pandemic and ongoing uncertainty have left many suffering heightened anxiety and stress – or simply feeling exhausted as another year rolls in. This collection explores practices to educate students and staff in better self-care, build their resilience and reboot their enthusiasm for their work.
Copyright © 2025 THE - Times Higher Education. All rights reserved. What does empathy look like in the classroom ?
How to demonstrate empathy for students – and self – to improve classroom interactions and ensure equity
Nurturing supervisor - supervisee relationships
How to foster productive supervisor - supervisee relationships and address challenges when they arise
Become a better mentor by asking yourself these questions
Our mentees face a far more complex educational , social and geopolitical landscape than we did , and we must practise humility in the face of that reality , writes Maria …
Building a culture of care to support students ’ mental health
Mental health support is a community - wide concern , which includes easy - to - access counselling , staff awareness and training , an empathetic environment and community …
How to prevent compassion fatigue
Many educators experience compassion fatigue at some point in their careers . Prevent it by shifting your perspective , setting boundaries and building strong support …
Show students you care
When you prioritise well - being , your students will thank you for it . Show kindness by taking steps to reduce cognitive load and create a welcoming and engaging learning …
Starting a support group for students with disabilities
Supporting students with disabilities in regions where universities place less emphasis on equity , diversity and inclusion requires a proactive approach from …
How living with blepharospasm helped me become a better teacher
Read about a strategy that helped an educator living with an eye condition build emotional resilience and create a more inclusive classroom environment
Why academics are losing sleep
Struggling to balance academic life with healthy sleep habits ? Whether it ’ s a well - placed nap or giving grant writing a rest , this science - backed guide will help …
How can we help students manage frustration and build resilience ?
Help students not to become discouraged by poor exam results by instilling a growth mindset , helping them plan their time and encouraging self - reflection
Build healthy resident student communities with restorative practice
The integration of restorative practices within student residential communities can have a transformational impact
Building a parent - friendly campus : practical considerations
Including parents in the academic experience can help build a stronger campus community and set students on a path towards success
Managing empathy fatigue as a teacher
While not technically in the job description , academic professionals support their students with recognising and working through their mental health issues
Ways to seamlessly build breaks into your working day
Regular , tailored breaks will not only make your workdays manageable but will lead you towards increased productivity , creativity and overall job satisfaction , …
Building kindness into an institutional culture
Advice on how to ground humanity in institutional practices , structures and policies to holistically support faculty and staff
Transforming mental health in South African universities : the promise of AI chatbots
Artificial intelligence can offer promise for student mental health services in Africa . AI - driven chatbots can provide a nonjudgemental , readily available , cost - effective …
Recognising and dealing with bullying on college campuses
It ’ s not realistic to expect all contempt to instantly vanish when you respond , but it will certainly persist if you don ’ t respond , writes Elizabeth K . Englander
Student communication : a compassionate approach
Compassionate student communication that ensures engagement is personal and unique to each student could enhance the university experience
Tackling the campus mental health crisis has to be a team sport
Tackling the campus mental health crisis requires a collaborative approach with healthcare providers , student support professionals and educators working together , …
Four ways to achieve a better work - life balance in academia
Switching off can be a considerable challenge for those working in higher education , even though it is essential for a work - life balance and well - being
How our Study Together programme promotes belonging and improves well - being
By offering students a space to meet , study and socialise outside the classroom , universities can improve engagement and reduce feelings of loneliness on …
From tree rings to tree pose : exploring varied approaches to well - being in universities
Universities should employ a varied range of psychosocial support and well - being therapies to support students with diverse needs and improve mental health …
How to run an effective student well - being campaign
From reaching out to the local community to making it interactive , Christina Chant offers seven tips for effectively promoting your university ’ s well - being services
Recognise work - life imbalance and restore resilience
How can academics stay energised and resilient ? The first step , says Aaron Davis , is take stock of those tasks and worries that deplete energy , then add activities that refill …
With an ‘ epidemic ’ of poor mental health , what can universities do to help ?
Practical guidance for universities on how they can support the growing number of staff experiencing challenges relating to mental health and well - being
Students learn better on caring campuses – here ’ s how to create one
Teaching the whole student and promoting authenticity will instil belonging on your campus and combat the social isolation that so many students face , says Kim …
You ’ re not alone : tips to help academics avoid social isolation
Connections with colleagues matter – without them , support during periods of reappointment , promotion or tenure can feel tenuous . And those unwritten expectations …
Three easy ways to stay healthy in the new year ( even with a busy job )
The time squeeze of modern university roles can make it feel impossible to carve out schedule space for health and wellness . Sandy Jones provides tips on how to do so
Pedagogical wellness specialist : the role that connects teaching and well - being
Does faculty well - being affect student outcomes ? Exploring this question in the wake of post - Covid burnout and trauma led UCI to create a new position that prioritises …
Socio - emotional learning online : boosting student resilience and well - being
The Covid - 19 crisis has led to worsening mental health and increased stress among students . Kathleen Chim talks about how the Open University of Hong Kong has tried to …
Online teaching tips to support student well - being
Natalie Kopytko provides practical tips to address student well - being via online teaching practices that can also benefit faculty
Why students and faculty alike need mental health first - aid training
Basic knowledge and skills could empower university communities to promote and destigmatise mental health issues and empower individuals to recognise risks …
How to foster student well - being with online mindfulness training
Adam Kay explains how educators can effectively use an innovative , freely available , and research - backed online mindfulness programme for student well - being
Embodied learning : how to bring movement into the classroom , and why it matters
Susan Hrach offers practical advice on using physical activity and outdoor space to enhance learning
A pedagogy of kindness : the cornerstone for student learning and wellness
Fiona Rawle outlines a pedagogy founded on human connection , care and compassion that improves student learning outcomes
Conversations around stress must move beyond ‘ I ’ m fine , how are you ? ’
Sara Metz offers practical advice on adopting the ‘ stress continuum ’ – a shared language and system to help staff and students reflect upon and discuss their well - being
How to make campuses and courses more compassionate
Telling students that you ’ ve considered their well - being in organisational culture and curriculum design can in itself bolster confidence , says Louise Lawrence
It ’ s past time for a serious appraisal of mindfulness education
True mindfulness education goes beyond pedagogy and improving learning outcomes – it is a holistic approach for developing students and staff , says Christine Rivers
Researchers are too critical – we need to give ourselves ( and others ) a break
It doesn ’ t have to be like this . Critical thinking means looking for the evidence – that is evidence both for and against , says Hugh Kearns
Co - creating an interdisciplinary well - being module for all students
Elena Riva and Wiki Jeglinska explain how academics can work with students to co - create well - being modules that span multiple disciplines and support students ’ self - care , …
How to manage your busyness to avoid burnout
Overwork and stress are growing issues among academics , particularly following the sudden transition to online teaching . Erin Wilson talks through how she …
A student mental health crisis awaits . Here ’ s how we avoid a bad fall
Extra funding should be requested now to staff up wellness centres , counselling centres and campus ministries , says Todd Zakrajsek
Broccoli and birdsong : the shifty discourse of ‘ staff well - being ’
When institutions put responsibility for wellness onto individuals , they also deflect their role in staff burnout and mental ill health , writes Madeleine Davies
Three big mental health questions that academia must talk about
A reckoning with how we handle mental health in higher education is long overdue , says June Gruber
Recognition of academia ’ s ‘ invisible labour ’ is long overdue
We must ensure that academic citizenship becomes a key part of our job descriptions , on par with teaching , research and management , say Shari …
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