Carnegie Mellon University

photo of two student walking through campus

January 06, 2020

Health and Well-being for Seniors

As our seniors approach graduation and increasingly focus on life after CMU, we want them to find ways to continue self-care practices that keep them healthy and well for a lifetime.

Here’s a list of five ways to create lifelong well-being practices (and how families can help):

  1. Adopt a “silver lining” attitude – There will be times when things don’t go the way our students envisioned, mistakes are made or risks don’t pay off. Finding ways to learn from adversity and to see mistakes as opportunities is important. Sometimes it’s helpful for students to be reminded that family members had plenty of their own trying times too and persisted or even thrived in spite of them.
  2. Make time for the present – Our focused, determined students can be so intent on reaching their career goals that they sometimes forget to enjoy the moment. Using mindfulness skills to simply “be present” and appreciate life in the here and now can be helpful. Families can help by pointing out life's simple joys and not over-emphasizing future goals.
  3. Diversify interests – Finding things that give life purpose and continuing to engage in learning is protective. People who have multiple interests are more likely to be resilient when tough times hit because there are other ways to experience success. Encourage this behavior in your students whenever possible.
  4. Keep personal connections a priority – In the end, it is our time with others that matters most. Connection with others protects us in difficult times, gives life meaning and just makes life more fun. Make efforts to stay connected with your students, even when they seem busy.
  5. Greet uncertainty with curiosity – It’s completely natural and common for our seniors to begin worrying about their future after Carnegie Mellon, particularly when they are still searching for that next step. Help them greet uncertainty and ambiguity with a sense of curiosity by reminding them that the present moment is really the only part of our story that we can influence. What can you influence right now, in this moment?