A 2026 study looked at nearly 80,000 college students in the United States and Canada. Researchers studied 51 parts of their lives. They looked at feeling well, not just having no mental health problems. This included having people to turn to, enjoying activities, and having a purpose in life.
Spending time with other people in person had the strongest link to feeling well. Students met friends, joined student groups, and went to cultural events. Time spent on paid work and helping family had the second strongest positive link. Students who spent more time on these duties also tended to feel better.
Problems with friends, partners, or people sharing a home had the strongest link to feeling worse. Sleep problems, harmful alcohol or drug use, and time spent watching screens also had negative links. But these links were weaker than the link with relationship problems.
Colleges can help students meet through clubs and events. They can also help students learn to make friends and deal with disagreements. However, meeting friends or sleeping more does not solve mental health conditions. People with these conditions need care from trained health workers.
