Intellectual well-being is the engagement in mentally stimulating activities that allow for the acquisition, application, and sharing of knowledge for the progress of humanity. It involves continuous learning in scholastic, cultural, community, and interest-related settings that develop cognitive skills such as creativity, logic and reasoning, reflection, problem solving, and communication.1
5 Tips for Intellectual Well-Being
- Broaden your knowledge by continually exploring new topics.
- Routinely read books, magazines, or articles for leisure.
- Watch videos, documentaries or other media content that stimulate your thinking.
- Practice free writing or jot down your thoughts through journaling.
- Share ideas and engage in topic-specific discussions with peers.
Campus Resources for Intellectual Well-Being
- Center for Creativity
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The Center for Creativity seeks to foster connections between and among members of the University community whose scholarly efforts and passions are rooted in “making stuff”: stories, pictures, music, scenes, statements, apps, messes, etc.
More particularly, the Center for Creativity:
- provides opportunities for creators to connect outside of their disciplines;
- encourages partnerships to establish new creative opportunities for the Pitt community;
- supports development of project-based courses taught across disciplines;
- works toward a coherent view of Pitt's diverse makerspaces and their resources and;
- commits to recognition for the University of Pittsburgh as a creative powerhouse.
The Center's spaces are intentionally and purposefully open to students, staff, and faculty in all programs of the University.
- Center for Teaching and Learning
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The University Center for Teaching and Learning aims to make teaching and learning at Pitt the most productive and rewarding experience.
- Disability Resources and Services
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Disability is an aspect of diversity. Disability Resources and Services (DRS) is the designated department by the University to determine reasonable accommodations and services. At the University of Pittsburgh, we are committed to providing equal opportunities in higher education to academically qualified students with disabilities.
Students with disabilities are integrated as completely as possible into the University experience. DRS shares with you, the student, the responsibility for creating equal access toward achievement of your academic goals. Through an interactive process, we work individually with each student to provide access to University classes, programs and activities. Please contact us to discuss your individual needs.
- Libby App
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The Libby app is a free app that lets you borrow free ebooks and digital audiobooks from your library. All you need is a library card.
Need a library card? Register for a free library card from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
- Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
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The Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship inspires, educates and enables others to make an impact on society, improve the regional economy and transform their own careers. The office is composed of four units: The Innovation Institute, the Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships, the Big Idea Center for student innovation, and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
- PITT ARTS
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PITT ARTS is dedicated to helping Pitt students in all majors and academic disciplines discover and attend performances, tours and hands-on activities– known as our Free Arts Encounters.
Undergraduate students at the Pittsburgh campus enjoy more than 100 Free Arts Encounters, Free Museum Visits, our Cheap Seats program and Artful Wednesdays.
Graduate and professional students at the Pittsburgh campus are offered Free Museum Visits, Artful Wednesdays, and may purchase Cheap Seats.
Faculty and staff at the Pittsburgh campus may purchase Cheap Seats and are welcome to see Artful Wednesdays performances.
- TRIO Student Support Services
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TRIO SSS aims to create an inclusive community for students to activate success by working together toward excellence. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, SSS has been at the University of Pittsburgh since 1972 and is one of more than 900 TRIO SSS programs across the country. These programs provide academic, social, and cultural support to first generation (defined as parents or guardian not graduating from a four-year institution) and/or low-income college students. Housed in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, SSS is a program for all undergraduates, regardless of school or major.
- Tutoring & Academic Support
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Students can receive a variety of tutoring and academic supports based on their school and course needs.
- University Events Calendar
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The University Events Calendar is your hub for a variety of events and programs including forums, speakers, and much more.
- University Library System
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No matter whether you are entering the University as a first-year student, looking for opportunities for furthering your research, teaching and learning, or have been a long-standing member of the University community, the University Library System is here to support your academic success through our collections, services, and spaces.
- Writing Center
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The Writing Center provides a place for all University of Pittsburgh students to come to work on their writing. The Center is staffed by experienced consultants who have been trained to help others with their writing. We can help you with conventional or digital projects. The services are free to all University of Pittsburgh affiliates.
Explore Intellectual Well-Being Resources at Pitt-Bradford
Explore Intellectual Well-Being Resources at Pitt-Greensburg
Explore Intellectual Well-Being Resources at Pitt-Johnstown
Sources:
1Hettler (1976), Mayol (2012), Mayol et al. (2017), Roscoe (2009), and Swarbrick (2012).