Supporting Student Mental Health, Resilience, and Meaningful Goal-Setting at the Start of the Semester

Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026 • Micki Washburn :

By Micki Washburn
School of Social Work

Micki Washburn
Associate Professor, Micki Washburn

The beginning of the semester is a pivotal time for students’ mental health, academic engagement, and sense of direction. While a new term often brings optimism and motivation, it can also intensify stress related to academic expectations, financial pressures, work and caregiving responsibilities, and major life transitions. Recent research continues to show that mental health challenges among college and university students are both prevalent and consequential, influencing concentration, motivation, persistence, and overall academic functioning. 1&2 For students, mental health is not separate from academic success—it is foundational to it.

Emerging evidence highlights the importance of resilience as a protective and modifiable factor for students navigating academic stress. Contemporary studies emphasize that resilience is not a fixed personality trait but a dynamic set of skills that can be developed through intentional practices, supportive environments, and access to resources. A recent systematic review of resilience interventions for university students found consistent improvements in well-being, stress management, and emotional regulation across a range of intervention approaches. 3 Similarly, recent randomized trials demonstrate that structured interventions—such as mindfulness-based programs—can significantly reduce academic stress and burnout while strengthening psychological resilience among students. 4

Goal-setting plays a critical role in this process. Students who set goals that are realistic, flexible, and aligned with their values are better equipped to persist through challenges and adjust when setbacks occur. Research grounded in growth mindset and developmental psychology continues to show that students who understand abilities as malleable—and who view difficulty as part of learning rather than evidence of failure—demonstrate greater resilience and academic persistence over time. 5 More recent work further suggests that resilience can mediate the relationship between mental health knowledge and outcomes such as anxiety, underscoring the importance of translating awareness into practical coping and goal-directed strategies. 6

Practical Tips for Students

  • Set goals that are ambitious but achievable.
  • Check in with your mental health early and often.
  • Establish routines that support both learning and well-being.
  • Use campus resources as part of your success strategy.
  • Expect challenges and plan for flexibility.
  • Stay connected to peers, mentors, and instructors.
  • Practice self-compassion during stressful periods.

Read more from the sources below!

  1. Stallman, H. M. (2010). Psychological distress in university students: A comparison with general population data. Australian Psychologist, 45(4), 249–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2010.482109
  2. Keyes, C. L. M., Eisenberg, D., Perry, G. S., Dube, S. R., Kroenke, K., & Dhingra, S. S. (2012). The relationship of level of positive mental health with current mental disorders in predicting suicidal behavior and academic impairment in college students. Journal of American College Health, 60(2), 126–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2011.608393
  3. Abulfaraj, G. G., Upsher, R., Zavos, H. M. S., & Dommett, E. J. (2024). The impact of resilience interventions on university students’ mental health and well-being: A systematic review. Education Sciences, 14(5), 510. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14050510
  4. Chen, S., Zhang, Y., Liu, X., & Wang, Y. (2025). Effects of structured mindfulness training on academic stress, burnout, and psychological resilience in university students. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1722669. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1722669
  5. Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience. Educational Psychologist, 47(4), 302–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2012.722805
  6. Lei, G., Li, L., & Zhang, L. (2025). Mental health literacy and anxiety in college students: The mediating role of psychological resilience. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 35340. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19381-0

 

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