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Wellbeing at Salem

At Salem College, your personal, academic, and professional growth is our highest priority. We believe true wellbeing is the foundation for strong and effective leadership. As you strive to meet the high expectations of a robust liberal arts education, we will help you establish healthy routines, embrace and utilize reflection, and practice the vital work of self-care. At Salem, you will find the time and physical space to develop your body and mind; build confidence, resilience and courage; and have fun along the way.

Also as a residential college, Salem promotes the value and benefits of living in community.

Students outside sitting on bench

Eight Key Areas of Wellbeing

Across its programming, Salem teaches wellbeing as a multi-dimensional goal that encompasses eight key areas — spiritual, emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, financial, physical, and social. Salem is committed to supporting students as they navigate their college experience.

View of Salem College Campus through the trees

Spiritual Wellbeing

Spiritual Wellbeing is the sense of belonging that comes through feeling connected to oneself and to something beyond and bigger than oneself. At Salem, students have the opportunity to cultivate Spiritual Wellbeing in a number of ways, including through contemplative practices, participation in local faith communities, and through engagement and programming with our Chaplain.

Meet our Chaplain
Students wearing sunglasses at graduation

Emotional Wellbeing

Emotional Wellbeing is the ability to understand oneself and cope with the challenges life presents. It involves the awareness, acceptance, and sharing of feelings in a productive manner. The ability to acknowledge and share feelings of anger, fear, sadness, stress, hope, love and happiness in constructive ways contributes to Emotional Wellbeing.

Counseling center
May Dell with two students in the background

Environmental Wellbeing

Environmental Wellbeing is the ability to recognize one’s own responsibility for the quality of the air, the water, and the land. It includes exploring and understanding the dynamic relationship between humans and their environment, both on our campus and off-campus. The ability to make a positive impact on the quality of one’s environment—whether at home, in a community, or across the planet — contributes to Environmental Wellbeing.

Local food in refectory
Student playing the piano with teacher watching

Intellectual Wellbeing

Intellectual Wellbeing is the ability to open one’s mind to new ideas and experiences that can be applicable to personal decisions, group interaction, and community betterment. It includes engaging in creative mentally stimulating activities, expanding one’s knowledge, and communicating knowledge to others. The desire to learn new concepts, improve skills, and seek challenges in pursuit of lifelong learning contributes to Intellectual Wellbeing.

Celebration of Academic Excellence
Student and teacher looking at computer screen together

Occupational Wellbeing

Occupational Wellbeing is the ability to get personal fulfillment from one’s job or chosen career field while still maintaining a work-life balance. The ability to contribute one’s unique gifts, skills and talents to work that is both personally meaningful and rewarding contributes to Occupational Wellbeing.

Lucy Rose Center
Salem college student studying

Financial Wellbeing

Financial Wellbeing is the process of becoming financially literate. This includes financial planning for the present and the future and living within one’s means. The ability to gain financial literacy, identify goals and learn skills to manage one’s finances to meet those goals contributes to Financial Wellbeing.

Office of Financial Aid
Salem College student playing tennis

Physical Wellbeing

Physical Wellbeing is the ability to incorporate movement and physical activity, healthy consumption, sleep and rest and the prevention of illness and chronic diseases to maintain quality of life. Physical Wellbeing allows a person to get through daily activities without undue fatigue or physical stress. The ability to adopt healthful habits — routine checkups, a balanced diet, exercise — and to avoid destructive habits — tobacco, drugs, alcohol — can lead to optimal Physical Wellbeing.

Salem walking trails
Three students on a walk together drinking coffee

Social Wellbeing

Social Wellbeing is the ability to create a support network and establish positive relationships and connections within a larger community. At Salem, the meaningful connections that students form with both peers and mentors foster Social Wellbeing.

Residence life

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