The University of Wisconsin-Superior’s recently redesigned first-year experience course, HHP-102, continues to provide students with science-based health and wellness information while also fostering a sense of social belonging on campus.

Through engaging lesson plans led by a variety of student support and campus partners, students learn essential skills for academic success and develop habits that promote a healthy and productive college experience.

Revised by the Health and Human Performance Department, the course curriculum includes practical strategies for time management, stress reduction, and self-care –ensuring that students build a strong foundation for both academic and personal well-being.

Instructors play a pivotal role in guiding students through the transition to college and connecting them with vital campus resources such as financial aid, student involvement and campus recreation.

“This opportunity gives us the chance to introduce ourselves, explain what our programs do, and show how students can use them to develop and improve themselves for their careers as future leaders,” said Sean Monnier, senior lecturer in the Health and Human Performance Department and recreation program manager for Campus Recreation.

“By putting campus faces to names and providing information to help get our students involved, we hope to provide a path for students to create those critical relationships as they begin their journey at UW-Superior. We hope to be a starting point to help empower our students to seek out their passions and connect with others who share their interests.”

As part of HHP-102, campus recreation and student involvement have developed a team-building activity to help students cultivate leadership skills and understand group dynamics. Students begin by taking a survey based on the Five Factor Model of Personality to identify their strengths. They are then placed into teams based on their survey results and challenged to build a tower using unconventional materials.

Following the activity, students reflect on their roles, team interactions and outcomes – drawing connections to future group work in academic and professional settings. The exercise encourages self-awareness, confidence and collaboration, helping students embrace their roles and step outside their comfort zones.

“Seeing a quiet class of 40 become alive and animated over a silly competition – while also sneaking in a lesson about group dynamics and leadership abilities – has been an absolute joy,” said Monnier.

“The increase in interest and energy from the short lecture to the hands-on activity is dramatic. Once students are given defined strengths and roles within their teams, it’s great to see how quickly they adapt and meet the needs of their group. We get to watch in real time as they communicate, collaborate, and discover how they can contribute to the group’s success.”

HHP-102 is offered both on campus and online each semester at UW-Superior and is a required component of all academic majors.