Dear high school staff and administration,
Welcome to Student Health 101, 2015–16! I’m here to tell you about the new content elements you’ll see in SH101 this year. A communication goal for us at SH101 is to inform our client schools about our content development strategy.

On the cover

You might notice this new button in the lower-right corner: Want to get involved with SH101? This is an easy, all-in-one access point for students. We’re always looking out for dynamic, committed student participants and contributors. The button links students to info on three ways they can be part of our process:

  • Submit a video for a chance to appear in the magazine
  • Be featured in the new “Student highlight” section
  • Apply to join our Student Advisory Board

Another change on the cover

Fact or fiction (previously on the cover) presented a health communication dilemma, and has been replaced with the “get involved” button. Research is showing that when we reiterate myths—even to debunk them—readers tend to misremember those myths as truths.

Student-generated content

The peer mentor/peer educator model is a core piece of how SH101 communicates effectively with students. Students have more credibility with their peers than we do, so we’ve looked for ways that students can be more visible:

  • App reviews: These brief reviews complement some of our features and are written by students. The September 1st article on sleep apps—Trouble sleeping? There’s an app for that—includes a review of the app SleepBot.
  • Slideshows: Our slideshows are great forums for student voices. We have found that students engage more with slideshows that are integrated into our feature content than those that stand alone. In the September 1st issue, the slideshow of student stories complements our feature Back-to-school blues? Find out how to have the best year ever.
  • Instagram images: Our SH101 launch on Instagram was an immediate hit—we already have 1,000+ followers. Students’ best Instagram images will illustrate some of our features this year.
  • Student videos: Some features will include a single video, often one that has been developed specifically to complement a feature article. In the September 15th issue, our piece on how to handle sexting—Sext request? 10 smart ways to respond—includes an animated video that illustrates how quickly a sext message can spread. Other articles will have our traditional stack of three student videos. In the September 1st issue, you’ll see this in Good mood food.

Note: Students whose videos are chosen will be published in the magazine and paid. Please encourage your students to submit videos using the “Get involved” button on the cover.

BetterU

Our new BetterU pages evolved from the former Health Bulletins spread. We went for a contemporary, unified look that retains the most popular elements of Health Bulletins and introduces some new ones. These features will rotate between the 1st of the month and 15th of the month issues:

  • Mind your mind, our new series on mindfulness, is by Dr. Holly Rogers, a psychiatrist at Duke. Dr. Rogers co-developed the Koru Mindfulness program that can be found in many US universities. This content reinforces our ongoing messaging about building coping strategies and resilience.
  • Student highlight spotlights a student reader and/or member of our Student Advisory Board. It’s a way for our students to speak more directly to their peers and inspire other students to get involved.
  • Career corner: This bulletin provides students with guidance on how to obtain a job and best practices for setting themselves up for successful future careers.
  • Money matters: Students expressed an interest in learning more about finances. This bulletin teaches them the necessary basics of how to handle money.
  • Ask the expert and App of the month are still here: students love them.

Tell us what’s working (or not)

As always, our relationship managers want your input on how our content is working for your school. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, feedback, or concerns.

Wishing you a happy and productive start to the 2015–16 academic year.