Surviving to Thriving: Creating a More Resilient Student

Gary Petiprin, Ph.D.Anne Bucalos, Ed.D.

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

What’s all this talk about resiliency?Have you heard of the “Six Word Memoir?” Let’s try one on the topic of “resiliency.” In six words, write your “take” on resiliency on the card provided.

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

ContextWhy is this a hot topic?

Why is it an issue on our campus? (some examples)

Connection to student success

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Who are our students today?

Hyperconnected, yet insularLive alone…togetherUsed to “oversharing”Encouraged to stay as adolescents

(particularly males)Want to be involved as co-decision makers,

but reluctant to make decisions by themselves

Aware of world issues and desire to do something about them

Like structure, but want right of refusal

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Let’s think about what makes a student “resilient”…

What are some of the qualities, characteristics, skill sets, etc. that might describe resiliency in our students…or that we want to “build” in our students?

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Qualities & Characteristics of Resiliency…Responding to adversity and challenge in an

adaptive mannerNot a static quality but something that can be

learned and cultivated…it’s a processQuality of ordinary peopleMatter of degrees

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Developing resiliency requires a holistic approach…

RelationshipsMindSpirit/ValuesBody Emotions

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

“I don’t belong here…”Belonging uncertainty:“Can I do this? Do I fit in?”Events then affected by negative filterAvoiding “Everybody’s miserable at first!”Short-term interventions that address “belonging”Preferably done by older peersBalance positive and negativeDifficulty is normal and temporaryTell stories that emphasize growth (Social

Belonging Intervention)

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Values/Spiritual PracticeGuiding students to consider

“vocation” in addition to “career”….what do you want your life to represent 40 years from now? What will be your life’s work in the broadest sense?

MeditationJournaling/Reflection“Value-affirmation intervention”

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Mindfulness

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Self-CareSleepNutritionExercise

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Growth Mindset“Failure” as path to growth (vs. bad)Identity/Worth = AchievementIntelligence & competence as malleable (vs. fixed)Effort as path to masteryLearn from criticism

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

How can educators cultivate a growth mindset?

Emphasize effort (vs. “intelligence”)Emphasize learning vs. grades“The great teachers believe in the growth of the

intellect and talent, and they are fascinated with the process of learning.”*

Attitude of high standards AND nurturance – commitment to teaching and belief in the capacity of each student to learn…build this into instruction.

*Dweck, C.(2007). Mindset: The new psychology of success. NY: Ballentine Books.

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Mind: Using learner-centered pedagogies

Involve students in goal setting, action plans, assignment choice (individual & group)

Provide opportunities for practice with specific feedback (then wean from that)

Use continuous reflection exercises on behaviors, beliefs, attitudes & perspectives (personal & group)Emphasize “perspective-taking” by assigning responses from different “players”

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

So…let’s try a “Wandering Map”Using the white paper provided, and the

markers, crayons, and/or colored pencils, follow the instructions on the yellow paper…

Continue to reflect on what you have done: What were your primary themes? How are they important to you? What insights did you gain about yourself?

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

What is our role in cultivating resiliency? Helicopter Parent to Helicopter Professor!

Scaffold feedbackEncourage

ambiguityAllow choice (and a

bit of chaos)Increase

accountability (don’t rush to help before assessing the situation)

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

SummaryOpportunities for serviceActivities for group interaction & belongingSelf-reflection (values, integrity, optimism,

stories of strength, competence and overcoming adversity)

Cultivate growth mindsetCultivate gritMindfulness activitiesEncourage wellness

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Resources…Resilience ConsortiumHarvard Success Failure ProjectThe Stanford Resilience ProjectVanderbilt Resilience ToolkitVanderbilt Resilience Building ActivitiesCornell University

• Centralized resource for wellness and resilience – information vetted by Mental Health and Student Affairs professionals

• Holistic approach – physical, mental, social and spiritual

• Student stories• Linked to SuRF, Health Service, Counseling

Center and Disability Services

Surviving to Thriving Workshop, 10.23.15

Resources (additional references on handouts)

Benard, B. at https://www.resiliency.com/free-articles-resources/the-foundations-of-the-resiliency-framework/

Berk, R.A. (2014). “Last Professor Standing!”: PowerPoint Enables All Faculty to Use Humor in Teaching. http://www.ronberk.com/articles/2014_HumorFinal.pdf

Brown, S. (2008). A Buddhist in the Classroom. NY: State University of New York Press.

Doyle, T., & Zakrajsek, T. (2013). The New Science of Learning: How to Learn in Harmony With Your Brain. VA: Stylus.

Dweck, C.S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. NY: Ballantine.

Eells, G. (Webinar available from Faculty Development Center) “Creating Resilient Students: Strategies for Life-Skill Development.” PaperClip Communications.

Jay, M. (2012). The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now. NY: Twelve (Hachette Books).