Digital Storytelling as a Path to Student Belonging and Growth
Bernier, N. (2025, December 16). The stories they tell themselves: A digital storytelling pilot becomes a blueprint for student flourishing. LearningWell Magazine. https://learningwellmag.org/article/the-stories-they-tell-themselves
A recent article by Nichole Bernier (2025) describes a pilot digital storytelling project at the Renée Crown Wellness Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder that invited undergraduates to create multimedia narratives about flourishing, a student-centered concept of well-being without rigid definition. The author’s initiative, part of broader student-well-being research, sought to elevate youth voice and explore how students themselves conceptualize flourishing.
Over six guided sessions totaling 24 hours, nine students from diverse majors participated in structured storytelling activities. Beginning with trust-building — journaling, free writing, story circles, and workshops — the process gradually introduced technical media skills (e.g., voiceovers, images, and editing). Facilitators emphasized community and reflection over technical polish. Stories were developed collaboratively with guided feedback that prioritized emotional resonance and meaning over predefined outcomes.
Student narratives revealed nuanced, personal definitions of flourishing: moments of belonging, recovery from adversity, and ongoing processes rather than fixed states. The story circle emerged as a powerful mechanism for insight and community. Participants noted emotional depth and honesty in their work, and audiences at a final screening observed layers of meaning that transcended surface experiences.
The author’s pilot illustrated that student-driven storytelling can both reflect and shape understandings of well-being. Rather than imposing institutional definitions, the methodology foregrounded student voice and process. The resulting toolkit emphasizes adaptability and openness, enabling replication in varied educational contexts.
Implications for Mentoring Programs
Mentoring initiatives should integrate narrative practices that empower mentees to articulate their experiences. Structured storytelling can deepen self-awareness, foster community, and transform abstract well-being constructs into lived meaning that informs growth, resilience, and sustained engagement.
Read the full paper here
