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Instructor/Advisor

Allison Higgins

Keywords

Adolescent, Wellness, Implementation

Abstract

Adolescents today face rising challenges to their physical, mental, and digital well-being. These issues are strongly linked to reduced cognitive function, emotional regulation, and academic engagement, making student wellness not just a health priority, but an academic one.

This capstone project explores the relationship between wellness behaviors and academic success through an extensive literature review focused on adolescent physical activity, mental health, and digital habits. The research highlights how low activity levels, poor mental health, and digital overstimulation are statistically associated with lower academic performance and decreased school engagement.

In response, this project offers a set of practical, evidence-informed toolkits designed to support school and district wellness committees in implementing effective wellness policies. These toolkits include adaptable action plans, timelines, intervention strategies, and stakeholder considerations—tailored for elementary, middle, and high school environments. The toolkits focus on three key pillars: increasing opportunities for physical activity, supporting student mental health, and promoting healthy digital behaviors.

By connecting wellness behaviors to measurable academic outcomes, this project guides educators and administrators to prioritize student well-being in ways that directly support learning and success. The goal is to move beyond policy as paperwork—and toward action that meaningfully impacts students’ lives, both in and out of the classroom.

Engaging the Whole Student: Connecting Wellness to Academic Success

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