Strengths-Based Curriculum
While some of the challenges during your time in college will be unique to you, there are a set of challenges that are commonly seen among students transitioning to their first semester of college.
To help support you in navigating these challenges, we have developed a curriculum to address the following:
- Help new students anticipate common concerns and challenges.
- Allow students to see how these challenges are opportunities to develop character strengths.
- Connect students with the campus resources that will support them in this development.
What to Expect
Here are some of the themes and issues students can expect to learn about in weekly newsletters, in their residence halls, and in events around campus:
Supporting Academic Success
Supporting academic success by focusing on the character strengths of curiosity and love of learning.
Campus Resources:
Related Content:
- Importance of a Liberal Arts Education (article)
- Learning How to Learn (video)
Achieving Balance
Working with students to achieve balance by focusing on the character strengths of self-regulation and self-control.
Campus Resources:
Related Content:
- Gaining Control of Time (video)
- How to Build a Habit (article)
Cultivating Healthy Relationships
Helping students cultivate and maintain healthy relationships by focusing on the character strengths of social intelligence and love.
Campus Resources:
- Center for Health and Wellness
- Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life
- Civil Rights and Title IX Office
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Anderson Freeman Resource Center
- Community Bias Response Team
Related Content:
The Myth of Effortless Perfection
Combatting the myth of effortless perfection by focusing on the character strengths of authenticity and honesty.
Campus Resources:
- First-Year Dean
- Resident Advisors
- Compass Mentors
Related Content:
- My College Transition (video)
Active Participation in Your Education
Teaching students how to be active participants in their education by focusing on the character strengths of persistence and vitality.
Campus Resources:
- Professors
- Midd2Midd
- Center for Careers and Internships
- CARE Management
- Counseling
- WellBeing Check-up
- Opportunity Grants
Related Content:
- Fear of Faculty Office Hours (video)
- How to Communicate with Professors (article)
- How to Make Office Hours Less Scary (article)
- Turning GRIT into a Habit (podcast)
- The Importance of Sleep (podcast)
- Exercise and Learning (article)
The Bigger Picture
Helping students see the bigger picture that they are working towards by focusing on the character strengths of citizenship, hope and gratitude.
Campus Resources:
- Center for Community Engagement
- Center for Careers and Internships
- Center for Health and Wellness
- Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life
Related Content: