Spending in-person time with friends is the biggest predictor of whether college students flourish

Students who spent more time socializing with friends, attending student organizations and participating in cultural events were more likely to report greater well-being. Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images

Exercise, avoiding alcohol or even getting enough sleep aren’t the factors most connected to college students’ well-being.

Spending face-to-face time with friends and other people is the strongest predictor of their mental health, according to a 2026 study of nearly 80,000 students that I conducted with the help of my students.