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Learner Reviews & Feedback for The Science of Well-Being by Yale University

4.9
stars
38,678 ratings

About the Course

NEW TEEN VERSION AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-teens In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life. THE SCIENCE OF WELL BEING WAS PRODUCED IN PART DUE TO THE GENEROUS FUNDING OF THE DAVID F. SWENSEN FUND FOR INNOVATION IN TEACHING....

Top reviews

KV

Jun 14, 2020

This course helped me think of news ways to think and new ways to reach certain goals that I would have not thought about. It's kind of long but I was interested and completed the course feeling good.

DM

Jan 8, 2021

This course has the power enough to change the course of your life. It can be a journey from misery to well being, if you follow the instructions given in this program. A must must must attend course.

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626 - 650 of 10,000 Reviews for The Science of Well-Being

By Jenny F

Dec 31, 2019

I really enjoyed this class. It also woke me to a realization of how I’ve been perceiving my level of well being, my happiness, and really a better realistic way I should be looking at it. It has been fascinating.

I also appreciated the layout of how the class was taught, the ease of being self paced and the personal satisfaction of completing the assignments and by default of the nature of the class, my personal goals. I think many people could benefit not only from this specific course, but from the less traditional way of taking the class.

By Lidia L

Mar 30, 2022

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for have gotten the opportunity to follow this course. This is a very good program. You have endless opportunities to learn something new. Savoring my willingness to learn something and enhance my abilities in life. My overall experience was great, being motivated to continue applying what I have learned beyond this course. Savoring every moment in my life, continue sharing my experiences with the people around me and living a life I desrve. I am extremely Grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

By Elena R

Jun 17, 2020

I really enjoyed this course. It made me realize the importance of knowing what is important and what things actually make us happy. It kept me occupied during lockdown and I am really grateful because it was during this time where I really noticed that the things I missed the most were: hanging out with my friends and family, going for walks, and experiences in general. Being kind, being grateful, having a good mental health (achieved by social connections, exercise and a good mindset) and savour things on a daily basis are the key to happiness.

By Linda L

Jul 5, 2018

Don't let Dr. Santos's laid back style fool you. There is a lot to be learned from this course and taking the rewirement challenges seriously can be life changing. Learning about numerous studies each week that back up the validity of activities that lead to happiness was the affirmation I needed to push myself to adopt some new behaviors and emphasize others with gusto. There is much to gain from the course, and it's not just for youngsters. I retired a few months ago and have found that improving my well-being is an energizing, achievable goal.

By Gloricel C L

Oct 7, 2020

I loved it! Ms. Santos was great and for the first time in my life I felt that I was taking a course that was just a pleasure to be part of and I've had my fair share of classes in college. As I explained earlier in the course, this course has highlighted and validated all the things I intrinsically knew and has shown me ways to keep those things more present in my life, like kindness, savoring and gratefulness, experiences are better than stuff, etc. But most importantly, this course has provided strategies to better apply it to my daily life.

By Katrijn T

Jul 5, 2020

I did this extra course because I am already working with the methodes Dr. Laurie Santons explained as a coach / trainer and I wanted to develop myself even more. Even if I knew the core of what this was about, all the details, scientific research and practical tools were from great added value and most of it completely new! It was again a sign that you can always learn new things, always develop yourself further even if you THINK you know already a lot about the topic. I enjoyed this course very much and share the new insights with my coachees.

By Thomas M

May 16, 2020

It was very easy to follow the content. What needs to be learned at this level got covered beautifully, without bringing in any complications. But at the same time, references were provided for those interested.

Interviews from external experts whose work that were covered in the course was another good thought.

Above all the practical focus and the need to implement the learning from the course and then completing the final assignment. This helped me bringing in some good practices in life and I am able to continue the same so far. Thanks a lot.

By Carmen R

Jun 22, 2020

The course has helped me to understand so much about what will lead to feel a greater sense of well-being and happiness. I am fascinated by how our minds are set to almost cause us dissatisfaction and then the healthy strategies we can adopt to introduce a happier mindset. I had no idea that gratitude and kindness were so powerful or that mind wandering was so distracting and unhelpful.

Dr Santos is an engaging and empowering teacher and the course is well planned. This was my first experience of an online coursera and has been excellent.

By Nakul T

Jun 1, 2020

The science of well being course run by Ms. Santos and team at Yale University was a life saver for me during this COVID lockdown phase in Mumbai with my family in the UK.It kept me on an even keel and I enjoyed every moment of the lectures, the reading and the recommended TED talks. I enjoyed doing 1 rewirement every week. For my final rewirement I chose meditation which is going to be my lifelong companion now and this has increased my happiness quotient significantly. Heartfelt thanks to Yale University, Coursera and Ms Santos and her team.

By Lars L

Jan 27, 2021

This was an awesome and very helpful course. Maybe it was more or less easy for me to finish it, because i deal with stress myself (and looking for ways to reduce it) and i have to take care for a lot of employees.

I recommend this course, because you get a lot of examples how you can get happier next to the science background about the human behavior. I also recommend the podcast "The happiness lab". Perfect Addition to the course.

It already helped me a lot to change my behaviors and be a little bit happier and less stressed most of the days.

By Irene E

Jun 15, 2020

I believe that if Laurie taught rocket science, I would begin to understand rocket science.S She is an exceptionally motivating and talented scientist.

Before I had taken the course, I thought that my skills in gratitude, kindness, meditation and feel-good sports, healthy sleep and diet are a mix of character, personal adaptability and genetics. I now realise that what I had arrived to intuitively can also be learnt "in advance", and that wellbeing is quantifiable, i.e. is a scientific subject.

My discovery was savouring, such a powerful tool!

By Kathryn P

Aug 2, 2020

I loved the course Professor Santos thank you. I am starting a business around Wellbeing and from the age of 22 I decided my happiness was the most important thing after my mum passed away suddenly. I now have the tools to know what really works which I have known of some but not the others. I am grateful to have done this course and I want to teach others about the benefits of Wellbeing. I loved learning the science behind things and the research having worked in Universities in Australia for most of my career. Thank you for the course.

By Claudette E

Jul 25, 2020

This course has changed the course of my future from living a pretty good life to living each day with gratitude, happiness and life fulfillment. I hold an undergraduate degree in Developmental Psychology and nearly all the material in this course was brand new to me. The coursework presented is rich and available to anyone to signs up and actually does the coursework assignments as the course as designed.

Thank you Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale and Coursera for your lifelong gift of happiness and continued well-being to millions of human beings.

By Tatiana I R B

Jun 29, 2020

Excelente!!! me hizo ver cosas que estaba ignorando y que contribuyen mas a mi felicidad, y lo mejor de todo es que son cosas gratis, savorer el momento, meditar , caminar o correr, pensar en los obstáculos que debo superar para obtener mis metas, ser agradecida con todas las personas que han dado cosas bellas y me han enriquecido y agradecer a aquellos momentos no tan buenos que me dan buenas lecciones de vida. Muy importante dejar a un lado las redes sociales y dejar a un lado, o minimizar en gran manera las comparaciones con otras personas

By Lisette P

Jun 2, 2020

The overall experience of taking the Science of Wellbeing was fantastic. Albeit it was definitely a weird time in history to be studying wellbeing, but it definitely helped me step back from my daily life which was upended by the pandemic and truly channel my energy into things I knew from our lectures would benefit me even when I didn’t necessarily buy into it at first. I really enjoyed the lectures and additional reading resources. The assignments were helpful in applying the lesson material and actually did increase my happiness over time!

By Eva S M

May 30, 2020

I have enjoyed doing this course. During these hectic times of online teaching primary school children (because of quarentine), I couldn't wait to have some time to continue with this course. It was very informative and inspiring. I've recommended the course to a couple of friends. I've also encouraged my students (5th graders) to start practicing gratitude and savoring, many of them are really enjoying it. Wether you are not feeling your best or just like reflecting on how different factors affect our happiness, I truly recommend the course.

By Jakub G

Sep 6, 2018

its amazing how small things adds up to bigger things. once you know that for instance social connection makes your day brighter, you will think twice before ditching possible short conversation with stranger or neighbor.

I liked that there were assignments, not validated, but something that you can do. if you cheat you cheat yourself. If you will do everything as assignment and will not fall into a trap of "measuring everything" (more likely comparing like "I did not do enough good things today..."), your happiness level will go up. try it!

By Yvette B

May 25, 2021

I really enjoyed this course. I'm a firm believer in self-care and enjoying life. This course helped me realize what really matters when it comes to my happiness. I still have my professional, financial, and material goals. However, this course made me realize that the simple things and moments, special times, and relationships with others, and being at peace with ourselves are what makes us happy.

I enjoyed the instructor and all the resources she provided during the course. I took good notes, and will refer to them and the resources.

By Catherine H

Jan 28, 2021

Loved the course and especially the professor. I'm concerned however that despite completely all my quizzes, assignment and doing about 5 or 6 peer reviews, it shows that I have no completed the requirements of the course. I've submitted an enquiry but as yet have not heard back. Hopefully this can be resolved. Other than that it has done a lot of me particularly during this pandemic and having to work from home. it's made me realize what really makes me happy and what doesn't. It was a wonderful course and I recommend it to everyone.

By Sara K

Sep 16, 2020

Thank you for teaching me about how my mind always wants to cheat me. Thank you for opening my eyes about things I have to change in my life to be able to achieve my goals and feel happy. It is the greatest course for anyone who wants to learn the most important life skills and if they already understood that they are the only person to make their life happier. This course can't do it for you, you have to act on it. It is not the half of the work to know how to reach your goals. You have to work for it. :) Thank you Professor Laurie Santos!

By Angela B

Aug 3, 2021

Excellent course! I loved how clear, visual and real Dr Santos' teaching style is. As a visual learner, I benefited from all the visuals and clear examples given to support each concept being presented. I saw great improvement in my survey results, and was overall fascinated by the science that drives true happiness. After taking this course, I'm excited to view each day and challenge in a new way with the knowledge and skills I have learned. I'm truly grateful this course found it's way under my radar and highly recommend it to everyone.

By Leonor P G

Sep 2, 2020

I never imagine that taking a course in psychology like this would help me so much in my life, I am convinced that this was an excellent decision and although it was at such a difficult time for everyone in all aspects, I was able to dedicate myself and use all the tools learned here in this course and face living happily in the middle of a pandemic and achieve my goals and be happy. Thanks Coursera, Thanks Yale, and Thanks Laurie Santos, for amazing job, I am sure you know how much you help people to have a better happy life , Thanks!!!!

By Lucia W

Jun 21, 2020

I absolutely loved this course, the content was very well structured, the teacher gave very relatable examples, and provided us with tools to be happier. Some of the recommended readings and videos (TED Talks) were great - it provided more insight and curiosity for me to learn what's going on in our heads.

I think this course came at the right time considering the circumstances most of us are in due to COVID. It provided a healthy perspective to strive to be better, and do the work which makes us better and happier. Thank you Prof Laurie!

By Sarah W

Oct 2, 2020

I absolutely loved this course. It was engaging and very manageable. My favourite part I think was the variety of studies done to show the claims. For example, in my opinion, it’s pretty obvious that healthy eating and exercise make you happier, but I loved that Dr. Santos showed experiments and studies about foods in offices and how meditation can improve brain function, etc. I was particularly impressed with the statistics about money and how there’s a “cap” on happiness and money. I would definitely recommend this course. Thank you.

By Carole j

May 12, 2020

A pleasure to get to know a little about you. Thank you for offering the course for free, especially during the corona virus. In the begninng- I needed something to do- as I am not able to go to work (teacher). I really looked forward to the lessons and found a new skill: mediation- something that had been on my bucket list for a long time, but through avoidance and procrastination- never completed. Today, four weeks later, I mediate daily for 20 minutes and it has completely reset my morning in the best way possible. Thank you.