When first-year students arrived on campus this summer for orientation, they didn't just register for classes or learn about campus resources. They also learned how practicing gratitude can boost their well-being.

At orientation, students met staff from the student counseling service and the office of student wellness. They learned that even small acts of kindness can make a huge difference.

In a new session on day two of orientation, students learned about key wellness resources, including Welltrack Boost, the H.O.P.E. Line and the Crisis Text Line. These tools are available 24/7 to provide quick support and help students build healthy habits as they begin college.

The session began with a short introduction about gratitude and its benefits for mental and emotional health. Students then received a blank Miami postcard to write a note to someone they appreciated. 

"Writing a note of gratitude provided students with an opportunity to pause and slow down from the hectic pace of orientation and to reflect on who in their life has made a difference for them,” said Jennifer Young, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and associate director for community engagement in the Student Counseling Service (SCS).

Several students said the activity made them feel calm and connected. While the messages were originally intended to serve as a private reflective exercise, some students wanted to share their postcards with the person they wrote about. Staff welcomed the requests when a few students asked if they could mail their postcards internationally or deliver them to someone on campus. 

"One student wanted to write a note of thanks to their advisor, whom they met during orientation weekend,” said Nancy Roane, a licensed social worker and care coordinator for student counseling service.

In addition to the postcard activity, students participated in other wellness experiences during the session that encouraged them to unwind and connect with others.

"Students faces lit up as they learned that therapy dogs were there for them to pet. They also appreciated having time to mindfully color, choose their own gratitude journals, and fidget toys, and speak with mental health counselors about the process of starting therapy,” Young said.

These hands-on experiences reflect Miami’s broader commitment to student well-being. That commitment continues throughout campus life and was recently recognized when Miami received the Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight Into Academia magazine. The national honor highlights the university’s campus-wide efforts to foster a culture of care and connection.

"At Miami, well-being is rooted in relationships,” said Steve Large, assistant vice president for health and wellness. “Whether it’s a conversation, a postcard, or a few moments with a therapy dog, these small, heartfelt connections help students feel seen and supported. That’s the kind of community we strive to build.”

Visit WellBeing.MiamiOH.edu to discover how Miami supports mental health and well-being. The site has over 125 resources, tools, and services all in one easy-to-use place.