Break Unhelpful Cycles

Learn to identify repeating patterns like comparison, overthinking, and people-pleasing, and replace them with healthier, more grounded responses.

Regain Emotional Balance

Discover science-backed tools for reducing anxiety, stress, and overwhelm so your emotions stop running the show.

Build Inner Strength

Strengthen your sense of self, set healthier boundaries, and develop the resilience needed to face challenges without losing yourself.

About the Freshman Year: Term 2 Course

Term 2 takes you into the patterns that often shape your behaviour beneath the surface. You’ll explore the comparison trap, perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional overwhelm, and the inner critic — and learn practical ways to interrupt these patterns in real time. With a blend of workshops, playbooks, mindfulness tools, and guided exercises, you’ll build emotional skillfulness and a more grounded relationship with yourself. This term is designed to help you step out of old habits and step into a more intentional, empowered way of living.

Curriculum

9 Chapters · 30 Lessons

  1. 1

    Welcome to Term 2

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Term 2 of Your Freshman Year

  2. 2

    Escaping the Comparison Trap

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Escaping the Comparison Trap

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Comparison Trigger Journal and Reframe Guide

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Why Your Progress is the Only Measure That Matters

  3. 3

    Stress & Overwhelm Management Basics

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The Science of Stress

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The Science of Overwhelm

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Overcoming Overwhelm - 7 Day Challenge

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      5 Minute Breathing Reset - A Guided Meditation

  4. 4

    Calming Anxiety

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Managing Anxious Thoughts and Feelings

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      5 Steps to Reduce Anxiety

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Grounding in the Present Moment: A Guided Meditation

  5. 5

    Tackling People Pleasing

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Overcome People-Pleasing

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Boundary Scripts for People-Pleasing

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Why People-Pleasing Hurts You... and Ends Up Hurting Others Too

  6. 6

    Freeing Yourself from Perfectionism

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Escaping the High Achiever Trap

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      5 Signs You Have Perfectionistic Tendencies

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Shifting from Perfection to Excellence

  7. 7

    Quieting the Inner Critic

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Self Compassion - Being on Your Own Team

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Self Compassion Break: A Guided Meditation

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Re-Writing Your Self Talk

  8. 8

    Setting & Maintaining Healthy Boundaries

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Setting Healthy Boundaries

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Boundary Setting Scripts for Common Situations

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Saying No with Confidence

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      3 Steps to Healthy Boundaries

  9. 9

    End of Term 2 Checkin

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Term 2 Completion Message

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Term 2 Skills & Actions Checklist

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      End of Term 2 Reflections

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      End of Freshman Year Term 2 Exam

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Freshman Year Mid-Point Progress Check

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Opportunity to Upgrade Your Enrolment

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.

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 a celebrated 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.

”
I am so grateful to come across BU! Absolutely life changing in so many ways.
Amy Sluggett

Brisbane, Australia

”
BU has literally changed my life. I cannot begin to express what I owe to Declan Edwards and the BU team. My emotional intelligence, self awareness and happiness has completely sky rocketed. BU is equipping me with the tools to take imperfect action and build long-term, sustainable and healthy habits. I am beyond happy and proud that I made this investment in myself. BU is changing my life every day for the better. I recommend to anyone and everyone looking to improve their life, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing and.... you guessed it - happiness. Thank you, BU.
Annelise McCarthy

Sydney, Australia

”
I can honestly say that this program has changed my life and I am so grateful for everything they have done and continue to do.
Madi Eskbank

Hunter Valley, Australia

Ready to Invest In Your Happiness?

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.

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