A wellness course at Georgia Tech was redesigned for the fall to help first-year students better navigate the challenges of college life. The course, APPH 1040: Scientific Foundations of Health, expands the Institute’s First-Year Wellness Experience (FYWE), which promotes student wellness across multiple areas.
“This course bridges the academic and well-being experiences of the student,” says Christie Stewart, co-director of the wellness course and senior academic professional in the School of Biological Sciences. “We designed it to help students develop habits that support their overall success, both in and out of the classroom.”
Teaching Wellness from Day One
APPH 1040 gives students practical strategies they can apply immediately. The course now covers topics like sleep improvement, stress management, resilience, and social wellness to help students better adapt to college life.
Becky James, one of the course instructors, encourages students to take a holistic approach. “Students are empowered to take a whole-person perspective and explore how wellness dimensions relate, overlap, and play a role in their well-being,” says James.
First-year mechanical engineering student Gargi Telang says the course is reshaping her perspective. “Each lecture focuses on a different aspect of wellness,” she says. “My professor doesn’t just tell us what to do — she explains why. This approach has completely transformed my mindset. I wish I could take this course every semester at Tech. You show up, you reap the benefits.”
Fostering Community and Belonging
In addition to individual wellness, the course emphasizes building social connections. “Social wellness is about creating a community. It’s important that students connect to their classmates and find a sense of belonging,” says Stewart. “With a focus on mental health both campus-wide and nationwide, we needed to take a closer look at our culture of wellness and how we can build that on campus.”
First-year computer science student Ella Foster says the focus on collaboration and self-discovery is one of the course’s strengths. “I love how we are working together to establish roles for our research projects based on our CliftonStrengths Assessments — a tool that helps people identify their natural talents.”
Strengthening an Established Program
Faculty redesigned the curriculum of the existing APPH 1040 course to better align with FYWE and the eight key dimensions of well-being (financial, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and occupational well-being). Supported by partnerships with Housing and Residence Life, the Center for Mental Health Care and Resources, and the Wellness Empowerment Center, the FYWE provides a range of services designed to promote student well-being, including peer support networks and designated residence halls.
“Many first-year students face stress related to academic rigor, making it essential to introduce them to wellness strategies early in their college careers,” says Stewart.
This year, the new APPH 1040 piloted two cohorts of 48 students each — one on the east and west side of campus. Feedback through student surveys will help improve future courses.
“The first year is an integral part of a student’s foundation for success,” says School of Biological Sciences Lecturer Sasha McBurse. “By the completion of this course, students will have strategies to overcome adversity and a game plan for improving their wellness for life.”
First-year computer science student Ayden Beard says this semester was the perfect time for him to take the course. “It’s given me so many tips on ways to develop healthy habits, manage stress, and maintain a happy, healthy life.”
The course will be offered again in the spring.
You can find more information on Georgia Tech’s wellness programs and events here and the School of Biological Sciences’ wellness courses here.
