The mental well-being of students from higher vocational colleges (HVCs) is a critical concern for personal development and a nation’s future. While scholars have explored strategies to address negative psychological emotions in English as Foreign Language (EFL) students in internet era, few have delved into the underlying cognitive psychology aspects. Cognitive psychology, with its focus on information processing, offers a unique perspective. It reveals cognitive biases in individuals with emotional issues, shedding light on causal relationships. By studying EFL students’ mental states through a cognitive psychology lens, new avenues for mental health improvement are opened. This approach, grounded in cognitive psychology theory, provides innovative strategies for enhancing mental well-being and offers valuable insights for coping with negative psychological emotions, bridging the gap between psychological processes and behavior.