State of Wellbeing, a podcast from South Dakota State University

Financial Wellness from the Student Perspective

Financial Wellness Month continues with this episode focused on financial wellness from the student perspective. The host, Caitlin Walters, interviews Abram, a senior majoring in business economics and entrepreneurial studies, about practical financial strategies for college students and how financial health should integrate with other aspects of wellness.
Learning Outcomes:
1: Listeners will understand ways students can reduce spending while on campus.
2: Listeners will identify campus resources where they can connect with other students and learn about investing.
3: Listeners will be able to identify different sources for financial literacy information.
 
Processing Questions:
Who do you have in your life that you can turn to for financial advice?
What are two changes you can make in your spending habits to reduce unnecessary spending?
What financial goals can you set for yourself this semester, to help improve your financial wellbeing?

Pros and Cons of Debit and Credit Cards

This episode of State of Wellbeing focuses on financial wellness, featuring Jennifer Olson, Senior Vice President of Business Banking at Bank Star Financial, and Shari Landmark, Chief Wellness Officer at South Dakota State University. Together, they explore the differences between debit and credit cards, the importance of building a credit history, and strategies for maintaining a healthy credit score. Jennifer shares personal anecdotes, practical advice, and insights on managing finances responsibly. Whether you're a student or a professional, this episode offers valuable tips for achieving financial fitness and avoiding common pitfalls.
 
Learning Objectives:
Listeners will understand the difference between debit cards and credit cards and when to use one versus the other.  
Listeners will be able to identify ways that their credit scores may impact them and how to improve their credit score. 
Listeners will be able to identify two resources for improving their financial literacy.  
Processing Questions:
What are the downsides of credit cards, and how you can mitigate them? 
How can students find a balance between using a debit/credit card responsibly?  
What resources are available to students wanting to learn more about financial literacy? 

Saving Money While in College

January is Financial Wellness Month. To start the month, Caitlin Walters, SDSU Wellbeing Specialist, and Lorna Saboe-Wounded Head, SDSU Extension Family Resource Management Field Specialist, discuss saving money while in college. The episode emphasizes proactive financial management and provides actionable steps to achieve financial wellness.
 
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Define the purpose and importance of budgeting as a foundational financial skill. 
2. Differentiate between short-term savings for emergencies and long-term investing for retirement or major life goals.
3. Locate and utilize campus and community resources for personal financial education and counseling.
 
Processing Questions:
1. What are some effective methods for tracking and managing a budget mentioned in the episode?
2. What is the recommended starting amount for an emergency fund, and how can students work towards building it?
3. Reflect on your current budgeting or spending habits. What adjustments could you make based on the advice shared in this episode?
4. What financial goals do you currently have, and how can you use the strategies from this podcast to achieve them?
 
 

Art and Wellbeing

Donna Merkt, Director of the South Dakota Art Museum, shares insights into how art supports emotional, mental, and social wellness. The episode underscores how art—whether through creation, observation, or conversation—can contribute to individual wellbeing, strengthen social connections, and enrich campus and community life. 
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to identify and describe the ways in which art positively contributes to emotional, mental, and social wellbeing.
2. Students will demonstrate practical ways to incorporate art into their lives as a means to promote personal wellbeing.
3. Students will reflect on how art serves as a tool for self-expression, processing emotions, and building social connections across diverse communities.
 
Processing Questions:
1. What are some of the key ways that art contributes to emotional and mental wellbeing? Can you think of examples from your own life where art has had a similar effect?
2. How does art help build a sense of community and connection among people? Can you think of any examples of public art or museum spaces where this happens?
3. Based on the podcast, what new practices or habits might you explore to integrate art into your personal wellbeing routine?

Red Folder: A Guide for Faculty and Staff to Recognize, Respond and Refer a Troubled Student

In this episode of State of Wellbeing, host Teresa Seefeldt, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at South Dakota State University, is joined by Dean of Students, Toby Uecker. Together, they explore the "Red Folder" resource, a practical tool designed to assist faculty and staff in recognizing, responding to, and referring students in distress. Toby shares valuable tips on navigating challenging conversations with students, addressing mental health concerns, and building rapport. The discussion also highlights additional training opportunities, such as QPR, and the role of campus resources in supporting the wellbeing of the SDSU community.

Thriving Through Challenges: Building Resilience and Success in College

In this episode of State of Wellbeing, Nicole Gertken, Viena Klipfel, and Jasmine Monnier from the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center discuss how students can recover from mistakes and missteps and continue to have success in college. They also touch on the role of faculty and staff in supporting students through these challenges.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will recognize common academic and non-academic mistakes as opportunities for personal and academic growth, fostering a mindset of resilience and adaptability.
Students will develop techniques to manage and recover from academic or personal setbacks, including goal setting, reflecting on missteps, and focusing on positive future actions.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of campus resources, such as academic advising, Study Hub, and counseling services, and their role in supporting academic and personal success.
 
Processing Questions:
What support resources are available to assist students at SDSU when dealing with mistakes and missteps? Why does SDSU invest in these resources and how does that connect to your own student success?
What are some strategies to overcome typical missteps that students make?
How can the concepts of resilience and success discussed in the podcast help you prepare for life beyond college?

Wellbeing During Finals Week (Episode Originally Released April 16, 2024)

Stressed about upcoming final exams? Get some tips from SDSU students Katie Milbrandt and Emma Ludens on how to manage that stress and have a successful finals week.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to identify common mental health challenges (e.g., procrastination, lack of motivation, burnout) and their impact on academic success, particularly during stressful periods like finals.
2. Students will develop a structured approach to managing their time, including creating study schedules, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining a balance between academic and personal activities.
3. Students will be able to navigate and use campus resources like tutoring, supplemental instruction, and success advising at the Wintrode Student Success Center effectively.
4. Apply stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and positive affirmations to manage test anxiety and maintain focus during exams.
 
Processing Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed. What strategies could you implement next time to maintain balance?
2. Imagine a friend is hesitant to seek academic support because they feel embarrassed. What advice would you give them?
3. How can visualizing success before an exam positively influence your performance?
4. What is one small change you can make this week to improve your academic habits?
 

Digital Wellness

November is Digital Health Month at SDSU! In this episode of the State of Wellbeing podcast, host Caitlin Walters, a wellbeing specialist, and guest Ashley Day, a staff counselor, discuss digital wellness and its importance in cultivating a balanced relationship with technology. Caitlin and Ashley share personal positives of technology use, like social connection and accessibility, but also note downsides, including reduced quality time with family and the tendency to "doomscroll." They also suggest practical strategies to counter procrastination, like breaking down tasks into manageable steps and planning study times based on individual productivity peaks. The episode underscores the role of self-awareness and intentionality in developing a healthier relationship with technology for improved wellbeing.
 
Learning Outcomes:
1. Listeners will be able to define digital wellness.
2. Listeners will be able to identify ways they can improve their relationship with digital technology.
3. Listeners will be able to identify some of the potential disadvantages of overuse of technology.
 
Processing Questions:
1. What are three ways you can improve your relationship with social media and technology.
2. What are some positives and drawbacks of digital technology use.

Stress and Stress Management

In recognition of Stress Awareness Day, the State of Wellbeing podcast brings you a discussion into the complex world of stress - what it is, how it affects the body and mind, and ways to manage it effectively.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Listeners will be able to describe stress and identify ways that stress manifests.
2. Listeners will be able to create a plan with at least three ways to decrease stress in their lives.
3. Listeners will be able to explain why stress can be beneficial.
 
Processing Questions:
1. What is the main difference between stress and anxiety?
2. What are some ways you can reduce stress in your own life?
3. Why might stress be beneficial?

Understanding Sleep

In this episode of the State of Wellbeing podcast, Caitlin Walters, the wellbeing specialist at South Dakota State University, discusses the importance of sleep with April Schneider, a nurse practitioner at the campus health clinic. They explore what good sleep looks like and highlight how poor sleep can lead to various issues, such as weakened immunity, impaired concentration, memory issues, mood disturbances, and physical performance deficits. The podcast provides practical advice on sleep hygiene, including creating a sleep-focused environment and avoiding activities like studying in bed. 
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Recognize the role of sleep in physical recovery, memory retention, and overall wellbeing.
2. Describe the potential impact of inadequate sleep.
3. Learn strategies to improve sleep quality and identify resources for those experiencing sleep issues.
 
Processing questions:
1. What are some of the consequences of getting a poor night's sleep?
2. What is the importance of REM sleep in your sleep pattern?
3. What is your self-assessment of your sleep? Are you getting enough sleep? What is the quality of that sleep? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10.