Permanent link for Social Wellness: You Don't Have to Do College Alone on September 21, 2026

When we hear the word wellness, we often think about eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, or managing stress. But wellness is also about the people around us.

At Grand Valley State University, Social Wellness is about cultivating supportive relationships and community through genuine connection and belonging. It can mean having people you can talk to, spending time with friends, joining a community, or simply feeling like you have a place where you belong.

What Does Social Wellness Look Like?

Social wellness does not mean having a huge group of friends or being social all the time. It can be as simple as checking in on a friend, eating lunch with a classmate, joining a student organization, or reaching out when you need support.

For students who are away from home, building a new community can take time. Moving to a new environment means meeting new people, learning new routines, and figuring out where you fit in. That process can feel exciting, but it can also feel lonely sometimes.

That is why meaningful connection matters.

Food Has a Way of Bringing Us Together

Growing up in Ghana, food was never just food for me. It meant family, conversation, laughter, and spending time together.

I think many of us have experienced something similar. Some of our best memories happen around food whether it is cooking with family, grabbing lunch with a friend, or discovering a new meal with someone.

Food gives us a reason to slow down, sit together, and connect. It also gives us an opportunity to learn about different cultures, traditions, and experiences.

This is one reason social wellness connects so naturally with the EatWell Series. Eating well is not only about what is on your plate. It can also be about the relationships and experiences we build around food.

Small Ways to Strengthen Your Social Wellness

You don't have to make a huge change. Start small:

• Invite a classmate to grab a meal with you.
• Check in on a friend you haven't talked to recently.
• Sit with someone new at lunch.
• Join a campus organization or activity.
• Attend a campus event, even if you go alone.
• Reach out when you need support.
• Give yourself permission to set boundaries and recharge.

Remember, you don't need hundreds of friends to have meaningful connections. A few genuine and supportive relationships can make a big difference.

You Don’t Have to Do College Alone

This September, the Center for Health and Well-being is partnering with Laker Food Co. for an EatWell Social Event on Thursday, September 24.

Come enjoy some food, meet people, have conversations, and connect with the Grand Valley community. Bring a friend, a roommate, a classmate, or come on your own and meet someone new.

Sometimes, taking care of our wellness can start with something as simple as sitting at the same table with someone else.

This month, ask yourself:

Who makes me feel like I belong?
Who can I reach out to this week?
How can I create more meaningful connections in my life?

Social wellness isn't about being social every minute. It is about building relationships and communities where you can connect, belong, communicate, and feel supported.

You don’t have to do college alone. Eat well. Connect well. Live well.

 

Written by:
Nana Akua Aniagyei Amponsah
CHWB Graduate Assistant
Grand Valley State University

Categories: General Wellness WIT
Posted on Permanent link for Social Wellness: You Don't Have to Do College Alone on September 21, 2026.