Starting the academic year—or even just a new term—can be disorienting for students. They’re navigating new classes, unfamiliar faces, and the pressure to perform before real connection has had time to grow.

In one of AOM’s student focus groups, a Participant shared something powerful:
“If we had done an AOM Class at the beginning of every course — no matter what the subject — I would have felt immediately more connected to the people around me. It would have broken down barriers that sometimes never get broken at all and I wouldn't have felt so isolated."
That insight stuck with us. It reminded us that even a short Class can make a big impact at the right time.

Why the Start of the Year Matters

Early in the semester, students are looking for cues:

• Am I welcome here?
• Will I be understood?
• Can I be myself and still succeed?

An AOM Class that offers space for honest reflection, shared storytelling, and a touchpoint around mental health tells them: yes.

Even a 30-minute, one-film Class can create a sense of community that supports learning across the term.

What to Look For

To break the ice and build connection, try selecting Classes that:

• Feature relatable protagonists (e.g., students, first-generation learners, people navigating change or pressure)
• Invite low-stakes reflection
• Emphasize shared humanity—mental health challenges, and the strength it takes to navigate them
• Are short in length (30–60 minutes is plenty!)

Use filters like:

• Class Type → Mental Health Training, Supporting Our Own Mental Health or Building Empathy
• Film Style → Drama, animation, comedy, documentary
• AOM Nutrient → Empathy, Honest Self Reflection, or Deep-Rooted Values

What Classes Can Unlock

A first-week AOM Class isn’t just a “mental health add-on.” It can:

• Reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking from the beginning
• Humanize the classroom—reminding students and instructors that we’re all navigating something
• Support resilience, focus, and belonging—all key to learning and retention