Intro by King Musa
"Yo, you know what it is! It's your man, King Musa! Welcome to Hub Hero, the podcast where we explore the seven dimensions of wellness and how they shape your life at Stephen F. Austin State University. I'm your host, King Musa, and today we’re diving into social wellness.
We’ll explore why social wellness matters and how building strong relationships can make your college experience richer. Joining me is none other than Dr. Andrew Dies, Dean of Students, to talk about how to stay connected and thrive. Let’s jump in!"
Understanding Social Wellness
King Musa: "Dr. Dies, welcome back to the show!"
Dr. Andrew Dies: "Thanks, Musa! I appreciate being here. The crowd’s happy I’m back, right?"
KM: "Oh yeah, they’re hyped for this one! Speaking of crowds, you keeping up with the Olympics?"
Dr. Dies: "Honestly, no. The Olympics don’t really do much for me. Now, the World Cup? That’s a different story!"
KM: "Fair, fair. Let’s dive in. What exactly is social wellness, and why is it important for students?"
Dr. Dies: "Social wellness is about connection—how we engage with others. From a university standpoint, keeping students connected is crucial for retention and success. Relationships—whether with friends, faculty, or organizations—anchor students to campus. That’s the tether that keeps you here."
The Impact of Social Connections
KM: "Why should students focus on social wellness?"
Dr. Dies: "It improves every part of your college experience. Students who are socially connected have higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate on time. It’s that simple. Connection leads to progress."
Balancing Social Life and Academics
KM: "I know students sometimes over-network and let academics slide. How do they balance that?"
Dr. Dies: "Networking isn’t the same as building genuine social connections. Networking is often goal-driven, but social wellness is deeper. It’s about creating real relationships that support you—not just career contacts."
Signs of Low Social Wellness
KM: "How does someone know if their social wellness is off?"
Dr. Dies: "It’s about self-awareness. Some people are introverts, others extroverts. You might feel drained, isolated, or overwhelmed by social interactions. That’s when you need to step back and assess. The key is to know what works for you."
Who’s Responsible for Promoting Social Wellness?
KM: "Who’s responsible for helping students with social wellness—faculty, staff, or students themselves?"
Dr. Dies: "Administrators and faculty have a role, but ultimately, students have to choose to engage. Our job is to create opportunities—whether it’s Weeks of Welcome, student organizations, or events. But students have to take that step and tether themselves to something."
First Steps to Building Connections
KM: "When should students start building social connections?"
Dr. Dies: "Day one. The first six weeks of college are critical. If you don’t connect early, it’s harder to stay engaged. That’s why Weeks of Welcome is packed with events. Get involved immediately."
Breaking Out of Comfort Zones
KM: "Some students hesitate because they don’t see people like them in certain spaces. How can they overcome that?"
Dr. Dies: "It takes courage. College is a chance to rediscover yourself and expand beyond the values you were raised with. Growth happens when you step into the unfamiliar."
Finding Resources for Social Wellness
KM: "Where can students find resources to boost their social wellness?"
Dr. Dies: "Check out The Hub, the new Involvement Center on the third floor of the student center, or Lumberjack Link. If there’s not a club for what you’re interested in, start one. Grab a faculty advisor, find a few like-minded people, and make it happen."
Trying New Experiences
KM: "How can students develop a mindset of trying new things?"
Dr. Dies: "It’s about growth. If you leave college the same person you were in high school, you missed the point. Push yourself to try. Regret not trying—not failing."
Building Social Bonds in Class
KM: "What about socializing in class? How can students build connections there?"
Dr. Dies: "Shared experiences create bonds. If you’re struggling with a class, study together. I call it ‘trauma bonding’—you’re all in the same boat, so lean on each other."
Navigating Roommate Relationships
KM: "Roommates can be tricky. Any advice on coexisting with someone new?"
Dr. Dies: "Roommate relationships are complicated. Communication is key. Use roommate agreements to set boundaries early, but also be flexible. Don’t avoid conversations—learn to handle conflict face-to-face."
Overcoming Social Anxiety
KM: "Some students avoid social settings. How can they push through that?"
Dr. Dies: "Start small. Say yes to invitations or events. Build slowly, but keep moving forward. Social wellness grows with each step you take."
Outro by King Musa
"Dr. Dies, thanks for your insight and advice.
To everyone listening, social wellness is a game-changer. Get involved, make connections, and embrace the full college experience.
Subscribe to Hub Hero for more insights into the seven dimensions of wellness. Until next time, stay connected, stay thriving, and remember—you get out what you put in. Peace!"
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