Abstract
The HSU Brain Booth initiative at the Library is an innovative project promoting mindfulness and contemplative pedagogy as a means of introducing students to metacognition for academic success. The Brain Booth addresses an essential need of our students. Recent studies show that students report stress and anxiety as two of the factors affecting their academic performance the most. The Brain Booth is an informal, experiential space to learn about the mind body connection, reduce stress and optimize learning. The Brain Booth offers mindfulness practices through Intentional Brain Breaks and activities that support Emotional Self-Regulation and foster Singular Thoughtful Focus. I started the Brain Booth with a colleague of mine in Fall 2016 and since she left HSU in Summer 2017, I have been coordinating all activities of the Brain Booth Initiative by myself.
During the past year the Brain Booth had 1100+ visitors. The Brain Booth has been embedded across the HSU curricula in 8 departments and 12 courses, so far. The Brain Booth also provides two SkillShops per week on Well-being and Stress Management during the academic year. During drop in hours the Brain Booth is staffed by trained student assistants. The Brain Booth sustains ongoing research activities, which include students as well.
The Brain Booth has an assessment model in action by recording visits, materials use and incorporation across the HSU curricula. The Brain Booth has been assessed also through student reflections on their experience with the Brain Booth. We have collected many reports on the positive impacts the Brain Booth activities have had on students’ academic performance and overall wellbeing.
Original language | American English |
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State | Published - 2016 |
Disciplines
- Library and Information Science
Keywords
- Higher Education
- Library Science
- Mindfullness