CM4U

Sep 17, 2024

CM4U is a gamified solution that aims to improve student participation in campus events at a notoriously rigorous and depressed Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) by addressing the challenges of busy schedules, stress, and social disconnect.

Based on interviews with students, it proposes an app that personalizes event suggestions based on students' schedules, locations, and interests, while also integrating gamification features like badges and achievements to increase engagement. The app incorporates social features such as event sharing with friends and a heatmap of student locations to foster a sense of community. By focusing on low-commitment, accessible events, including wellness activities and CMU traditions, CM4U aims to alleviate stress and promote mental well-being, offering a fun, immersive, and less academically oriented experience.

This project was a part of my UX Research & Design Class, so a majority of it was focused on user-research and making sure our solution truly addressed the issues found during our research.

Carnegie Mellon University is consistently ranked as the 3rd most depressed school in the nation. Why?

There is a well-documented correlation between intense academic environments and declining mental health. The pressure to perform, a relentless workload, and a culture that often equates self-worth with productivity can create an environment where students struggle with stress, anxiety, and depression. However, CMU has plenty of mental health resources—campus events, a mindfulness room, CAPS counseling services, wellness workshops, and student-led support initiatives. So why are students still feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and unsupported? And more importantly, how can we help them? Why are existing resources not reaching or resonating with students?

Round 1 Interviews: Getting a pulse on the student population - who is "The CMU Student"

My team and I began our own research by interviewing 16 CMU students, all varying in year, major, extracurriculars, and social groups. To understand the type of person who attends CMU and their experiences, we asked questions on mental/physical health, general mood, daily life, tools and strategies to deal with CMU or other stress, social life, and overall feelings about CMU.

Round 2 Interviews: Motivation & Energy - Student Participation in CMU Events

In a second round of interviews with nine students, we explored what drives participation in CMU events and what prevents it. We also examined why students will still attend certain events even when they don't have time or interest. We analyzed various event types:

College/Department-Specific Events
CMU Traditions
Free Food Events
Professional & Career Development
Relaxation & Mindfulness
Sports Events

A major barrier to event participation is high cognitive load—students juggle demanding coursework, extracurriculars, and personal commitments, making it hard to engage in non-essential activities.

However, students are more likely to attend events that require minimal effort. Lowering the barrier to entry—through better promotion, simple sign-ups, convenient locations, and clear expectations—can boost participation. Additionally, free food and giveaways serve as strong incentives.

Despite the stereotype, CMU students are highly socially driven—if their friends are attending, they are much more likely to make time for an event, even if they aren’t personally interested. For instance, one participant had never attended a CMU Dancer’s Symposium performance due to the time commitment (three hours) and ticket cost. However, after forming a close friendship with a performer, they now attend every semester to see and support their friend, even though they wouldn’t have otherwise.

These insights shape our approach to designing more accessible, rewarding, and socially engaging events that fit into CMU students’ busy lives.