The document discusses the author's initial understanding of wellbeing and how their perspective has changed after taking a wellbeing course. Initially, the author viewed wellbeing as only relating to physical health and fitness, but learning about the emotional, cognitive, and other dimensions helped shift their view to see how all aspects are important to overall wellbeing. The document then discusses why universities would want to teach students about wellbeing - so they can apply strategies in each dimension to better themselves academically and relationally. Several topics are listed that would be particularly important to communicate to students, such as developing growth mindset, intercultural sensitivity, and knowing one's purpose.

1. My initial understanding of wellbeing
Before I took this course, fitness would have been the first thing to come
to mind when hearing the word wellbeing. I believed wellbeing to be
relating only to the physical dimension. I envisioned wellbeing as
involving health, diet, exercise, etc.
I think this initial idea of wellbeing partly comes from society. In
American culture today values primarily revolve around some form of
success. In the case of wellbeing, success in today’s day and age is
related to the physical. Value isn’t often placed on meaning, emotional,
cognitive, etc. wellbeing.

2. How my perspective has changed
Entering this class I was doubtful of how relevant the other aspects of
wellbeing would be in my learning and in my life. I was annoyed that this
course seemed to be a waste of my time and money. However, as I
continued learning about each dimension, my attitude towards the class
began to change and I was more open to receive the material being
taught. As I was implementing various wellbeing habits in my life, I
noticed the positive change in my overall wellbeing. Over time my faith
in the teaching began to grow alongside my personal wellbeing.

3. Although I was somewhat skeptical of this class upon hearing the other
forms of wellbeing we’d be learning about, learning the course material
really helped shift my perspective and see how crucial the other
dimensions of wellbeing are in my everyday life.

4. Why teach students about wellbeing?
Universities would want to teach students about wellbeing to have them
know and apply strategies of each dimension to their lives. This
application will better their students in all areas of their lives, helping
them succeed relationally, physically, academically, etc. Some wellbeing
course topics would be especially important to communicate to
students at universities…

5. Topic #1
● Allowing Cognitive
Disequilibrium (encountering a
new idea you’ve never considered
before)
● Why? Cognitive Disequilibrium
helps individuals think critically
and grow personally. College is
filled with new, unfamiliar
experiences, whether that be
socially or in classes. These
encounters with new ideas will
challenge and expand students’
thinking, making them consider
new perspectives (SRB p.72).

6. Topic #2
● Wisely use Conflict Styles (four
main ways people approach
conflict: Discussion,
Accomodation, Engagement, and
Dynamic)
● Why? Conflict Styles are separate
ways people express
disagreement and convey
emotions in the midst of conflict.
This can create a barrier for
developing good relationships.
Differing Styles can cause tension
between individuals. This tension
can lead to poor or unhealthy
relationships (SRB p.141).

7. Topic #3
● Develop Intercultural Sensitivity
(ability to relate and empathize
with other cultures)
● Why? There’s often a wide gap
between perceived orientation
towards culture and actual.
Developing Intercultural
Sensitivity helps individuals better
understand themselves and
others. When we have “cultural
blindness” it ignores the God
inspired uniqueness of others and
often assumes their cultural lens
is like our own (SRB p.138).

8. Topic #4
● Knowing your purpose (a stable
and generalized intention to
accomplish something that is
personally meaningful and leads
to productive engagement with
the world and beyond the self)
● Why? Someone’s purpose is
goal-oriented, and focused
beyond oneself. Knowing one’s
purpose has psychological,
physical, and academic benefits.
It can lead to freedom from
depression and improved health,
resiliency, and classroom success
(SRB pg. 188).

9. Topic #5
● Adopt a Growth Mindset (a
mindset of a person that is
prospective, adaptable, and open
to development)
● Why? Students in college need to
obtain this mindset to have
resiliency, confidence, and
perseverance to thrive cognitively.
This mindset focuses on
challenging and encouraging
oneself. Students who develop a
Growth Mindset will respond to
situations - such as depression -
with determination (SRB p.73).

10. Sources
Osgood, Christine. Wellbeing Student Resource Book. 4th ed., Bethel University, 2018.
Osgood, Christine. “Introduction to Wellbeing.” Sutori, www.sutori.com/christine-osgood.