With the constant pressures of high school life, from school assignments and assessments to extracurriculars, athletics, work and social life, finding an escape from these pressures can be difficult. The Student Wellness program (SWell) not only provides a break from high school pressures through group activities and fun, it provides the tools necessary to handle and enjoy life in high school and beyond.
The program’s advisor, Vanessa Webb (no relation), explains that “SWell is a different kind of club at Hingham High School, inspired by Yale University’s most popular class in its 300-year history, The Science of Well-Being. Over eight weeks, students take an online version of the course from Yale that was created specifically for high schoolers.”
The program meets on Wednesdays nights for discussions and activities. Vanessa describes, “The vibe is low key and no pressure. It’s a chance to step out of the traditional class setting and talk about real-life things, stress, academic pressure, comparison, distraction, and what actually helps. We keep it fun and relaxed with snacks, games, and mystery prizes.”
Students learn valuable lessons, even in such a laid back environment. Liam Cusick, a Sophomore at HHS and graduate of the program, shares his own experience, “In SWell, I learned that happiness and well-being are more than just emotions, there is science behind them and how to maximize them. I applied several of the pro tips from the class to my life, and they have definitely helped me out.”
The ‘Pro-Tips’ that Liam Cusick refers to are the simple but valuable pieces of advice embedded into the SWell curriculum. Isabel DuBose ‘27, another SWell graduate, gives an example of one of these ‘Pro-Tips’, “One thing I learned was the WW acronym, which I still think about, it helps me to not pick up my phone when I’m bored. The acronym asks “what for and why now” and it helps me realize when I don’t actually need to be on my phone if I can’t answer those questions.”
‘Pro-Tips’ like these have spread beyond the SWell curriculum. Based on alumni feedback, SWell has expanded to Freshman Advisory sessions, a SWell station at Breathe Out Day (a chance for students to take a break outside from their typical school day), and they are now routinely featured in Dr. Buckey’s school-wide Monday Message.
According to Vanessa, “The goal is to help students build tools for well-being in real life and give them space to connect and talk about what actually matters.” By its 5th session, endorsements from the program’s alumni have demonstrated its success.
Liam Cusick explains, “I would recommend joining SWell because it is a fun experience, plus you get a Yale certificate from taking the class. There is a lot to learn from taking the class, and it’s an overall fun experience with your friends on weekday night.”
Isabel Dubose adds, “I definitely recommend joining SWell because it’s a great way to learn about your mind and well-being while also having fun with friends through playing games and winning candy!”
Vanessa Webb offers more reasons to join: “Learning math, history, and science is important. But learning how to manage your well-being through inevitable stress and pressure is just as important. SWell offers a way to do that. It’s practical and genuinely useful. Students often say one of the best parts is realizing they’re not the only ones feeling the pressure. Just hearing classmates talk honestly about what they’re navigating can be powerful.
It’s also a way to connect with people you might not normally interact with during your school day, in a no-pressure setting. No grades. No cold calling. No pop quizzes.
It also happens to be a strong addition to a high school résumé. Alumni have shared that it’s given them something meaningful to write about in college and internship applications. More importantly, many say they continue using the tools long after finishing SWell.”
Vanessa explains that so far, she has seen the program normalize and demystify conversations about well-being, leaving students with an understanding that well-being is not about being happy all of the time, rather it is about being armed with the skills to respond to one’s feelings.
She hopes that “SWell continues to resonate with students and reach even more of them. If we can help students feel more connected, less alone in their stress, and more confident in their ability to navigate challenges, while having fun and building new connections, that’s meaningful. Longer term, I would love to see well-being education become a more regular part of school life for all students. Achievement and well-being don’t have to be opposites. Students deserve both.”
