You may be familiar with LinkedIn Learning through the technical courses it offers – everything from Excel to R to prompt engineering. But there’s more to LinkedIn Learning than just technical know-how. It also offers hundreds of courses on personal development – courses that can be useful to your students as they face the challenges of everyday life. And since LinkedIn Learning is free to everyone with an active CNetID – faculty, students, and staff alike – you and your students can avail yourselves of its resources at no cost.
In the remainder of this post, we’ll survey some of the popular courses that help to develop life skills. When preparing your syllabus, you might consider sharing information with your students about these courses, as part of a broader approach to cultivating mental health and wellness in the classroom. For some guidance in this area, check out our sample syllabus statement. Also, if you use Canvas Modules in your course, you can link out to a list of appropriate courses from your Modules.
And remember: while some of these issues may be particularly acute for first-year students, it’s not just first-years who need a helping hand. At any point during the college experience, students may find themselves facing unexpected challenges. There may not be a “magic bullet” to solve every problem, but with careful thought and preparation, you can help your students to persist and thrive during their time at the University.
Time Management
Many students come to college without the time management skills they need to succeed. High-achieving students are not immune to this issue. They may have been successful in high school without developing solid time management skills, and if so, college can be a rude awakening. Help your students who need a hand in this area with courses like:
- Time Management Fundamentals (1 hour 47 min)
- Efficient Time Management (1 hour 31 min)
Budgeting and Personal Finance
Students living away from home for the first time may struggle with managing money. Courses that offer help in this area include:
- Budgeting in Real Life (44 min)
- Personal Finance Concepts Everyone Should Know (35 min)
Stress Management and Resilience
These are unquestionably challenging times, and stress management is vital for personal well-being. It’s also important that students know how and when to ask for help: some of your students may be concerned that asking for help shows “weakness” or an inability to cope with the demands of college. Courses that deal with these topics include:
- Managing Stress for Positive Change (53 min)
- Protect Your Well-Being Through Change and Uncertainty (36 min)
- One-Minute Habits for Resilience (36 min)
- All You Have to Do Is Ask: How to Ask for Help When You Need It (44 min)
Critical Thinking and Sound Judgment
College students face many tough judgment calls in their lives, and making the wrong call can be costly. You might point them toward Critical Thinking for Better Judgment and Decision-Making (56 min) to smooth their path.
Healthy Sleep and General Well-Being
Sleep deprivation is the bane of many a college student. The course Sleep Is Your Superpower (34 min) can help your students develop better sleep habits and get more effective rest. Meanwhile, Wellbeing as a Habit: Tips and Best Practices (1 hour 15 min) can give your students a leg up as they develop habits of well-being and self-care they can carry into their post-college lives.
Further Resources and Getting Help
If you have questions about how best to leverage LinkedIn Learning in your course, Academic Technology Solutions (ATS) is here to help! You’re welcome to drop by our virtual office hours (no appointment needed) with your questions. We also offer a range of workshops on topics in teaching with technology. And for 1:1 help, please feel free to book a consultation with an instructional designer.
Remember, too, that UChicago Student Wellness has programs and offerings to support your students’ well-being. Don’t hesitate to point your students their way.
