6 Online Mindfulness and Meditation Courses for Students: Boost Focus and Reduce Stress

Mindfulness and meditation can help students manage stress and improve focus.

These practices teach ways to stay present and calm your mind.

Many schools now offer mindfulness training, but online courses make it easy to learn from home.

Online mindfulness courses give you flexibility to fit practice into a busy schedule. You can find free and paid options that teach meditation, breathing exercises, and other techniques to boost your wellbeing. This article looks at six online courses for students who want to try mindfulness and meditation.

Table of Contents

1) Headspace’s Student Plan

Headspace offers a special plan for students.

This Student Plan gives you access to hundreds of meditations and resources at a reduced price.

With Headspace, you can learn to meditate and practice mindfulness.

The app has over 1,000 meditations to help you improve your mood and sleep better.

You’ll find guided meditations, sleep stories, and peaceful music stations.

These tools can help you manage stress and anxiety, which is important for college life.

The app is easy to use and designed with students in mind.

You can choose from different meditation lengths to fit your schedule.

Headspace’s Student Plan is a good deal if you’re in college or university.

It gives you full access to the app’s features at a lower cost than the regular subscription.

Many students find Headspace helpful for dealing with school stress.

The app teaches skills that can make you healthier and happier overall.

To get started, you can try out a meditation on the Headspace website.

This will give you a taste of what the app offers before you sign up.

Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as your studies.

Headspace can be a useful tool in your self-care routine.

2) Calm’s Mindfulness Curriculum

Calm offers a mindfulness curriculum for high school students.

This program helps teens learn valuable skills to manage stress and improve focus.

The curriculum includes short daily practices that fit easily into a school schedule.

You’ll learn breathing exercises, guided meditations, and simple relaxation techniques.

These tools can help you stay calm during tests, sports, and other high-pressure situations.

The practices are designed to be quick and easy to do anywhere.

Calm’s program also teaches you how to be more aware of your thoughts and feelings.

This can help you make better decisions and improve your relationships.

Teachers guide students through the exercises, but you’ll also learn how to practice on your own.

The goal is to give you lifelong skills for managing your mental health.

The curriculum mixes audio sessions, videos, and in-class activities.

This variety keeps things interesting and helps different learning styles.

You don’t need any special equipment or prior experience to benefit from this course.

It’s designed for beginners and can be adapted as you progress.

By the end of the program, you’ll have a toolbox of techniques to use whenever you need to refocus or de-stress.

These skills can help in school, at home, and in your future career.

3) 10% Happier: The Basics

The 10% Happier app offers a beginner-friendly course called “The Basics.” This course is perfect for students new to meditation and mindfulness.

You’ll learn from Joseph Goldstein, a respected meditation teacher.

He guides you through simple techniques to build a strong foundation in mindfulness.

The course focuses on practical skills to boost happiness and resilience.

You’ll discover how meditation can help you develop these important traits.

Short video lessons are paired with guided meditations.

This combination makes learning easy and enjoyable.

You don’t need any special equipment or beliefs to start.

The course is designed to fit into your busy student life.

The app provides a free trial that includes the first seven video lessons and meditations.

This gives you a chance to try it out before committing.

If you decide to continue, you can access more content and coaching for a yearly fee.

The full app includes over 500 guided meditations on various topics.

Remember, meditation won’t solve all your problems.

But as the app’s name suggests, it might make you 10% happier.

That’s a great start for any student looking to improve their well-being.

4) Simple Habit for Busy Students

Simple Habit is a meditation app designed for busy people who want to reduce stress and improve their lives.

As a student, you can benefit from its quick 5-minute meditations that fit easily into your hectic schedule.

The app offers a wide range of guided meditations tailored to specific situations.

You can find sessions for exam preparation, dealing with academic pressure, or improving focus during study sessions.

Simple Habit’s interface is user-friendly, making it easy to navigate and find the right meditation for your needs.

You can choose from different themes, such as stress relief, better sleep, or increased productivity.

One of the app’s strengths is its flexibility.

You can access meditations on-the-go, whether you’re in your dorm room, the library, or between classes.

This accessibility helps you maintain a consistent practice even with a busy student lifestyle.

The app also provides tracking features to monitor your progress and stay motivated.

You can set reminders to meditate and see how many days in a row you’ve practiced.

Simple Habit offers both free and premium content.

The free version gives you access to a selection of meditations, while the premium version unlocks the full library of content.

By using Simple Habit, you can learn to manage stress better and develop mindfulness skills that can enhance your academic performance and overall well-being as a student.

5) Insight Timer College Network

Insight Timer offers a special network for college students.

This platform gives you access to many mindfulness and meditation tools.

The Insight Timer app has thousands of guided meditations.

You can find practices that fit your schedule and needs as a student.

Many colleges partner with Insight Timer.

This means you might get free access to premium features through your school.

The app includes courses made just for college students.

These help you deal with common issues like stress and sleep problems.

You can join live events and group meditations.

This lets you connect with other students who are also learning mindfulness.

Insight Timer has meditations led by experts from top universities.

You’ll find teachers from places like Stanford and Harvard.

The app tracks your progress.

This can help you stay motivated and see how your practice grows over time.

You can use Insight Timer on your phone or computer.

This makes it easy to fit meditation into your busy student life.

The college network often has special events.

These might include talks on topics like managing exam stress or improving focus.

Insight Timer’s large library means you can try different styles of meditation.

This helps you find what works best for you.

6) Smiling Mind’s Student Programs

Smiling Mind offers mindfulness programs for students of all ages.

These programs are designed to support social and emotional skills development in children.

The cornerstone of their school offerings is the Primary Classroom Curriculum.

This curriculum focuses on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and is ready to implement in classrooms.

Smiling Mind provides options for both individual educators and entire schools.

Their programs are evidence-based and aim to improve overall mental health in students.

You can access Smiling Mind’s resources through their web-based platform and mobile app.

These tools offer hundreds of mindfulness activities tailored for different age groups.

The app includes various exercises such as breathing meditations and sensory activities.

It even allows you to track meditation progress for students.

Smiling Mind’s programs have shown positive outcomes in schools.

Many educators have reported success after implementing these meditation tools with their students.

The organization also offers training workshops for teachers.

These workshops help educators effectively integrate mindfulness practices into their classrooms.

By using Smiling Mind’s resources, you can help your students develop important social and emotional skills.

These skills can contribute to better mental health and overall well-being.

Benefits of Mindfulness for Students

Mindfulness offers students valuable tools to improve their academic performance and mental well-being.

These practices can help you focus better, manage stress, and handle emotions more effectively.

Improved Concentration

Mindfulness training can boost your ability to concentrate on tasks.

By learning to focus on the present moment, you’ll find it easier to pay attention in class and while studying.

This skill helps you avoid distractions and stay engaged with your work.

You might notice you can read for longer periods without losing focus.

Mindful breathing exercises can quickly bring your attention back when your mind wanders.

This leads to more productive study sessions and better retention of information.

Stress Reduction

School can be stressful, but mindfulness gives you tools to cope. Research shows that mindfulness education can reduce the negative effects of stress on students.

You’ll learn techniques to calm your mind and body, which is especially helpful during exam periods.

Deep breathing and body scans can help you relax and reduce anxiety.

Regular mindfulness practice may also improve your sleep quality.

Better sleep leads to reduced stress levels and improved overall well-being.

Emotional Regulation

Mindfulness helps you become more aware of your emotions without getting overwhelmed by them.

This skill is crucial for maintaining good mental health as a student.

You’ll learn to observe your feelings without judgment, which can prevent negative thought spirals.

This awareness allows you to respond to situations more calmly and rationally.

Mindfulness-based training programs in schools have shown benefits in emotional regulation.

You may find it easier to manage frustration, disappointment, or anger in academic and social situations.

How to Choose the Right Course

Picking the best mindfulness course involves looking at a few key factors.

You’ll want to check the course’s credentials, review its content, and see what other students say about it.

Accreditation and Credibility

Look for courses offered by reputable institutions.

Universities and established mindfulness organizations often provide high-quality programs.

Check the instructor’s background and qualifications.

Are they certified mindfulness teachers? Do they have relevant experience?

Make sure the course follows recognized mindfulness practices.

Look for mentions of evidence-based techniques like MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction).

Course Content and Structure

Review the course syllabus carefully.

It should cover key mindfulness concepts and practices.

Look for:

Check the course length and time commitment.

Can you fit it into your schedule?

Consider the learning format.

Do you prefer video lessons, reading materials, or interactive exercises? Pick a course that matches your learning style.

Student Reviews and Feedback

Read what other students say about the course.

Their experiences can give you valuable insights.

Look for comments about:

Course effectiveness
Teacher quality
Support provided

Check the overall rating, but pay attention to detailed reviews.

They often highlight specific pros and cons.

Be wary of courses with only positive reviews.

A mix of opinions is more realistic and trustworthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students have many questions about online mindfulness and meditation courses.

These FAQs cover course options, enrollment, certifications, and effective practice methods.

What are the best mindfulness courses available online for students?

Some top online mindfulness courses for students include Headspace’s Student Plan, Calm’s Mindfulness Curriculum, and 10% Happier: The Basics.

These courses offer guided meditations and lessons tailored to student life.

Simple Habit for Busy Students is another great option.

It provides short meditations you can fit into a packed schedule.

How can students enroll in a free and accredited online mindfulness course?

You can find free mindfulness courses through platforms like Coursera.

Many universities offer free online mindfulness programs for their students.

The Insight Timer College Network also provides free guided meditations and courses for students.

Are there specific meditation courses tailored for beginners available online?

Yes, many online platforms offer beginner-friendly meditation courses. Mindworks provides courses for all levels, including complete beginners.

These courses often start with basic breathing exercises and gradually introduce more advanced techniques.

Can students obtain a mindfulness training certification through online study?

Some online platforms offer mindfulness teacher training certifications.

These programs usually require completion of multiple courses and a certain number of practice hours.

Check with respected mindfulness organizations for accredited online certification programs.

What is involved in the 8-week mindfulness course offered online?

An 8-week online mindfulness course typically includes daily guided meditations and weekly lessons.

You’ll learn various mindfulness techniques and how to apply them to daily life.

Most courses require 20-30 minutes of daily practice and include supportive materials like videos and readings.

How can mindfulness meditation be practiced effectively by students through online platforms?

To practice effectively online, set up a quiet space for daily meditation.

Use headphones to minimize distractions.

Start with shorter sessions and gradually increase duration.

Consistency is key – aim to practice at the same time each day.

Use guided meditations to stay focused.

Many apps and websites offer timers and tracking features to help you maintain a regular practice.