Developing Character Strengths to Foster the Well-Being of First-Year University Students

Transitioning from school to higher education can present challenges for first-year students, which may adversely affect their well-being and academic performance. This study aimed to investigate character strengths and well-being to support implementing a positive education intervention programme, Strengths Gym. Strengths Gym is a three-tiered course designed to assist students in recognising, developing, and harnessing their character strengths to enhance their overall well-being. A mixed-method research approach was employed, utilising a sample of first-year students from a university of technology in South Africa. The findings indicate that most participants identified themselves with virtues such as kindness, perseverance, love of learning, and forgiveness. Implementing the Strengths Gym intervention improved the respondents’ positive/negative affect and mental health. Additionally, further analysis revealed that the students benefited from the intervention, as evidenced by enhancements in their overall well-being, fulfilment, resilience, personal growth, self-discovery, interpersonal relationships, and understanding of their behaviour.