Belonging June Resource

As society works to understand the experience of loneliness, I want to share with you a video essay from a non-US institution entitled Why Gen Z are the Loneliest Generation. This video dives into the causes behind the unique experience of loneliness that students are facing today. It highlights research-backed causes and student perspectives in an elegant way that can be consumed in less than 15 minutes.

The video reinforces the challenge we face: many students are arriving on campus feeling lonelier and less able to make connections than previous cohorts. This reality underscores the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and connection in our classrooms – a crucial aspect of their academic success and overall well-being.

As we move into the summer and plan orientation, campus welcome, and first weeks of classes, how can we incorporate this knowledge into our practices, approaches and pedagogy?