Lecture Notes: Strategies for Success and Well-being

Introduction

• Discussion on strengths is often new to students.
• Common focus on weaknesses rather than strengths.
• Using strengths has a significant positive impact on success and well-being.
• Tool Mentioned: VIA Strength Finder, used in positive psychology to identify strengths.

Tip 1: Understand and Utilize Strengths

• Emphasis on knowing personal strengths.
• Positive psychology supports using strengths for better outcomes.

Tip 2: Have Goals

• Students receive syllabuses with weekly and semester goals.
• Importance of personal, academic, and professional goal alignment.
• Goal Setting Tips:
  • Set specific and personal goals.
  • Maintain flexibility in goals.

Tip 3: Feeling Good Matters

• Positive feelings improve performance in class and projects.
• Research indicates happier individuals are more successful.
• Strategy: Write down three good things daily to enhance well-being.

Tip 4: Learn Resilience

• Expectation of challenges in life.
• Importance of bouncing back and developing resilience.
• Extension students often have high expectations without room for failure.

Tip 5: Build in Recovery Time

• Importance of taking breaks for recovery, especially under stress.
• Suggested breaks every 90 minutes, and ensuring meals and weekend rest.
• Recovery aids in achieving goals and maintaining course.

Conclusion

• Importance of incorporating these tips to enhance student success and well-being.
• Emphasis on recovery and recognizing what's working to stay on track.