Former HTH 100 students present on the course's impact on personal health and wellness

The 20th Annual General Education Student Conference occurred Friday, September 27, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the James Madison University Festival Conference & Student Center, hosting 14 workshops with over 150 students in attendance. The professor-nominated event recognizes outstanding academic achievements produced by undergraduates in their General Education courses, allowing them to practice valuable public speaking skills.

One of the presentations offered was The Positive Impact HTH 100: Personal Wellness has on JMU Students. Four former HTH 100 students Kennedy Brid (Health Sciences), Lila Powers (Health Sciences), Annika Lyngdal (Health Sciences), and Tess Collier (Hospitality Management) shared how HTH 100 has helped them succeed within their academics, evaluate personal choices, and why they feel it is important for JMU students to enroll in HTH 100 to 58 current HTH 100 students.

All four Dukes agreed, the Pre- and Post-Health Assessment and Behavior Change Assignment helped them identify their baseline level of health (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social, Spiritual, Occupational, and Environmental) while the Wellness Passport Assignment and Physical Wellness Log assignment provided guidance in areas to improve their well-being. Brid stated, “Health 100 exposed and introduced me to so many on-campus resources that I never would have realized were available to me.” Lyngdal commented, “HTH 100 brought to my awareness of how important social wellness truly is. She added, understanding the importance of community – the connection with your peers and professors – is crucial to her academic journey.” Collier and Powers stated these assignments contributed to their “ability to prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and maintain healthy balance between school, work, and personal life.”

On a personal level, the students felt HTH 100 helped them establish a “healthy, independent living environment. “Powers felt HTH 100 helped her learn how to cope with stress, while Lyngdal and Collier commented the course taught them “the importance of self-care (regular physical activity, balanced diet, mental health awareness, and community connection).” These perceptions reflect one of HTH 100 objectives, which is to understand the relationship between personal behaviors and lifelong health and wellness.

Overall, Brid, Powers, Lyngdal, and Collier all believe it is important that JMU students considertaking HTH 100 as one of their General Education classes. Collier stated, “the course equips students with essential life skills like stress management, time management, and personal wellness, which are critical for both academic success and future careers.” Collier further stated, “these skills promote a balanced lifestyle, helping students cope with the demands of college life and prepare for the challenges they will face after graduation.”

The General Education Student Conference is generally scheduled the Friday of Parent’s Weekend. Any faculty who wishes to nominate one or a panel of their students, for the 2025 Student General Education Conference, who demonstrated outstanding work, whether in the form of an oral presentation, a written essay, a research project, or similar assignment within their classroom should contact Kethera Moore at foglerka@jmu.edu for more details.