Face-to-face time with friends best predicts college students' well-being

Spending in-person time with friends and other people is the strongest predictor of college students' mental health, ahead of exercise, avoiding alcohol or getting enough sleep, according to a 2026 study of nearly 80,000 students. The researcher behind the study, who conducted it with help from students, says face-to-face social time matters most for whether students flourish.