California Baptist University students prioritized mental health by connecting with God and maintaining hobbies. Each student followed a unique learning preference, and many students worked to strengthen cognitive skills as they pursued academic success. Psychology played a key role in overall wellness.
Students used their minds in different ways, and the Center for Sports and Performance Psychology helped students and student-athletes identify strategies to improve.
Dr. Ed Garrett, department chair of undergraduate psychology and professor of sport and performance psychology, helped athletes focus on the present instead of dwelling on past mistakes or staying discouraged after an error.
“That term, cognitive training, and cognitive coach, really speaks more to the student athlete, and they understand how they can either gain an advantage or improve a performance just simply by the way they process things from a cognitive standpoint,” Garrett said.
Garrett, former athlete and coach, said athletes sought guidance not because they felt weak or were failing, but because they wanted to become mentally and physically stronger.
From an academic standpoint, many students struggled to determine whether they learned best through auditory, visual or tactile methods. Each preference influenced how students gathered and processed information.
Berriada Babatunde, senior biomedical sciences major, described herself as a visual and tactile learner. She said she found it easier to visualize concepts, stay present and adapt physically. She said hobbies helped her stay calm while strengthening her cognitive skills.
“Taking my time out throughout my day to sit with God to read the word, or go out in nature, and just like touch grass and connect and get in the field with myself, and with peace,” Babatunde said.
Babatunde also said she renewed her mind by painting with friends and spending time at the park. She said she took walks and read on her own, and those activities supported her mental health.
“I noticed I used to be a lot easier distracted and stressed a lot, but I found outlets to really like ease my mind, not stress this much, and find peace,” Babatunde said.
Some students said they wound down through self-reflection and personal growth. They described solitary activities as an important way to better understand themselves.
Abigail Smith, junior Spanish and intercultural studies double major, said she wrote in a personal journal to process her thoughts. Smith explained she preferred auditory learning and listened to podcasts she could apply to her personal life.
“I intake a lot of podcasts, and I’d rather take an in-person class that’s more difficult than an online class because I would like to be physically learning the material,” Smith said.
Smith said balancing two majors felt manageable when she built routines that supported her mental strength. She said it only felt overwhelming when she combined work and academics without time to reset.
Students said they benefited from identifying cognitive weaknesses and building habits that supported a healthy mindset. They said making time for hobbies and personal growth helped strengthen mental health and support academic performance.
