Thrive in 3 started with six students and an observation — students are increasingly passionate about supporting mental health, but no one is talking about the intersection of alcohol and mental health. 

The original Thrive in 3 board, representing the Green Bandana Project, Fraternity and Sorority Life, ROTC, Athletics, and Speech Pathology, came together with support from Student Wellness to create something that could spark reflection on the relationship between mental health and alcohol. Students also wanted a program they could do with their friends. When it comes to alcohol decisions, FOMO (“fear of missing out”) was by far the strongest influencer, so pressure would be reduced if friends were participating together.

Thrive in 3 is a three-week challenge students complete with their community. For the duration of the challenge, participants try their best to limit their alcohol use to no more than one drink per hour, which can also include not drinking at all. Participants are not penalized if they miss the mark; the only requirement is that they reflect on their experience. Participating groups are led by their own student leadership board consisting of their own members, who shape the program and tone for their specific community.

Throughout the three weeks, students receive text messages three times a week providing engaging, informative content and prompting them to respond to reflective questions about their experiences and observations related to alcohol and mental health. Responding to each text message takes less than three minutes. Three minutes a text, three texts a week, for three weeks — the entire program only asks for twenty-seven minutes total.

Participants receive anonymous, real-time insights from their group. Students frequently share they appreciate being able to see that their peers are sharing similar experiences and challenges they are less open to speaking about directly. They also report borrowing helpful strategies shared by community members to reduce negative effects of alcohol.

In the first semester, Spring 2024, the program had 97 participants, made up of student groups willing to test this new program. Over the 2025–26 academic year, the program grew to 726 participants, made up of members of 13 Fraternity and Sorority Life chapters, Hawkeye Marching Band, two Living Learning Communities, and Undergraduate Student Government.

Participants consistently report benefits, including improved physical and mental well-being, reduced spending, and increased confidence navigating peer pressure. Many describe stronger social connections, noting that reflecting as a group made it easier to support one another. Participants who identified as non-drinkers before the program reported feeling more connected to their community. Seeing that more peers shared their perspective than they realized — and observing friends who do drink make more thoughtful choices — helped strengthen that sense of connection.

Program participation has always been voluntary, and the notable amount of consistent engagement reflects strong alignment with student values. One student shares, “It’s really easy. It’s no risk, all reward. I recommend this program for anyone.”

“It’s really easy. It’s no risk, all reward. I recommend this program for anyone.” - Thrive in 3 participant

From its inception, students have driven Thrive in 3’s evolution, shaping an experience that embodies key Division of Student Life priorities by fostering student leadership, supporting well-being, and strengthening connection within communities. Looking forward, the aim is to deepen the scope of involvement, focusing on strategies to build participation and engagement within participating communities. Some groups piloted an in-group discussion component that received positive feedback and could be introduced to other groups. As the program continues, student leadership will remain central to guiding its direction and future growth.