Strong Foundations
Build the essential mindset, habits, and understanding that set you up for long-term success in your happiness journey.
Mindset Mastery
Learn how your brain works, how skills are formed, and how to shift from fixed patterns into a growth-oriented way of living.
Emotional Awareness
Develop the ability to identify, name, and work with your emotions so you can respond more intentionally in daily life.
About the Freshman Year: Term 1 Course
Term 1 is all about helping you start strong. You’ll explore how learning really works, dive into the stages of skill development, and understand the role your mindset plays in shaping your growth. You’ll also learn the core science of happiness, debunk common myths, and begin building genuine emotional awareness using evidence-based tools. By the end of the term, you’ll have a solid foundation, a clearer sense of your wellbeing, and the confidence to move forward with purpose and intention.
Curriculum
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1
Welcome to Term 1
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(Included in full purchase)
Welcome to Term 1 of Your Freshman Year
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(Included in full purchase)
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2
Learning How to Learn (The Science of Skill Acquisition)
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(Included in full purchase)
Learning How to Learn
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(Included in full purchase)
The 4 Stages of Skill Development
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(Included in full purchase)
Neuroplasticity and Habit Formation Basics
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(Included in full purchase)
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3
Growth Mindset
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(Included in full purchase)
Mindset Matters
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(Included in full purchase)
Mindset Shift Toolkit
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(Included in full purchase)
Learning from Setbacks: Guided Meditation
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(Included in full purchase)
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4
The Science of Happiness
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(Included in full purchase)
From Floundering to Flourishing
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(Included in full purchase)
The Science of Happiness
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(Included in full purchase)
The PERMA+ Model Explained in 10 Minutes
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(Included in full purchase)
The Philosophy of Happiness
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(Included in full purchase)
The Wellbeing Spectrum
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(Included in full purchase)
The Happiness Cake
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(Included in full purchase)
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5
Happiness Myths
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(Included in full purchase)
Happiness Mythbusting
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(Included in full purchase)
Why Chasing Constant Positivity Makes You Less Happy
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(Included in full purchase)
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6
Emotional Awareness
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(Included in full purchase)
Emotional Awareness 101
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(Included in full purchase)
Feelings Wheel and How to Use It
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(Included in full purchase)
Name It To Tame It
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(Included in full purchase)
5 Stages of Emotional Intelligence
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(Included in full purchase)
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7
Ownership & Responsibility
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(Included in full purchase)
Taking Ownership & Responsibility
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(Included in full purchase)
Responsible Language Shifts
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(Included in full purchase)
Why Ownership Fuels Growth
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(Included in full purchase)
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8
Acceptance & Psychological Flexibility
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(Included in full purchase)
Learning to Lean Into Acceptance
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(Included in full purchase)
Letting Go of Control
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(Included in full purchase)
What’s in Your Control (and What Isn’t): The Skill of Psychological Flexibility
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(Included in full purchase)
2 Monks and a River
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(Included in full purchase)
The Raft and the River
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(Included in full purchase)
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9
The Negative Cognitive Bias
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(Included in full purchase)
Managing a Negative Mindset
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(Included in full purchase)
3 Ways to Catch Negative Bias in Real Time
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(Included in full purchase)
Spot It, Stop It, Swap It: Bias Awareness Tool
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(Included in full purchase)
Reframing Your Perspective: A Guided Meditation
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(Included in full purchase)
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10
End of Term 1 Checkin
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(Included in full purchase)
End of Term 1 Checkin
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(Included in full purchase)
End of Term 1 Skills & Actions Checklist
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(Included in full purchase)
Share Your End of Term 1 Reflections & Key Learnings
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(Included in full purchase)
Freshman Year Term 1 Quiz
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(Included in full purchase)
IMPORTANT: Access to This Course is Restricted
This course isn’t available for direct enrolment. It’s included exclusively for students in our Happiness Essentials and Happiness Enhanced memberships as part of the full Freshman Year curriculum of The Happiness Blueprint. If you’re not yet enrolled at BU Happiness College and would like to begin your Freshman Year studies, please reach out to our team so we can guide you through the next steps and help you get started.
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Meet Your Coaches
This course was developed and presented by Declan Edwards, founder of BU Happiness College and one of Australia’s leading voices in positive psychology. Declan is a happiness researcher, speaker, and educator who has spent more than a decade helping individuals and organisations build the science-backed skills of happiness. With a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology, thousands of hours of coaching experience, and a reputation for making complex ideas genuinely practical, Declan has guided people around the world to create happier, more fulfilling lives. You’ll also be supported by Ami Rankin, our Head of Happiness Coaching and an award-winning personal coach known for her warm, grounded, and deeply effective style. Ami has helped hundreds of clients navigate self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, and major life transitions using evidence-based tools blended with compassionate, real-world guidance. Her expertise in behaviour change, emotional regulation, and strengths-based coaching means you’ll always have someone in your corner who genuinely understands the human side of personal growth. Together, Declan and Ami ensure your learning experience is not only research-backed and practical, but also deeply supportive and human.
Happy Words from Happy People
We're know that learning the skills and science of happiness is the key to living a fulfilling life. But don't just take our word for it. Here's what some of our members and graduates have to say.
Highly recommend to anyone and everyone. BU is an amazing place to grow in all aspects of your life.
Maitland, Australia
BU has changed my life. I have learnt so much about myself, my emotions and how to work through them. I can push through barriers that were holding me back. I can work through emotional responses without losing it. I can see how much of an impact coaching would have if everyone had access to it. I highly recommend the investment.
Brisbane, Australia
I had the best experience with Declan and the team. From my personal to my professional life I still find myself going over the learnings even years on. Grateful to be involved (and graduate) from such a well put together course. Highly recommend!
Melbourne, Australia
Ready to Start Your Happiness Journey?
If you’re feeling the pull to learn the skills of happiness and start building a life you’re genuinely proud of, the next step is simple: reach out to our team. We’ll walk you through your options and help you get started with the full Freshman Year curriculum. Click the button below to contact us and take the first step toward your happiest year yet.