Defining Thriving Blog
What is Thriving?
Definition of Thriving
Thriving goes beyond surviving. It’s about achieving a balanced state where you feel motivated, purposeful, resilient, and connected. Thriving includes well-being in academic, emotional, social, and physical dimensions.
Thriving can mean:
- Purposeful Engagement: Feeling a sense of direction and meaning in your academic and personal pursuits.
- This can be seen in your community or internships.
- Resilience: Developing the ability to overcome setbacks and adapt to changes.
- Well-Being: Maintaining a balance across mental, emotional, physical, and social health.
- This can be practiced through self-care or opportunities for play.
- Connection: Building meaningful relationships within and beyond academic settings.
Assessing Your Own Thriving
Engage with resources like the Thriving Self-Assessment to evaluate areas where you’re thriving and areas that might need attention.
Categories of Thriving
1. Academic Thriving
Goal Setting & Time Management
- Set short- and long-term goals for your research, coursework, and personal development.
- SMART Goal Setting – SMART goals are a way of setting objectives that are clear, trackable, and achievable. The SMART goals acronym stands for the five crucial qualities your goals should have:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
- SMART Goal Setting – SMART goals are a way of setting objectives that are clear, trackable, and achievable. The SMART goals acronym stands for the five crucial qualities your goals should have:
- Managing your time effectively can also attribute to your academic thriving.
Productivity and Focus
- Utilize resources for staying organized with tools like Notion and Evernote.
- Tracking progress and productivity can elicit feelings of satisfaction and happiness.
- Try the Pomodoro Technique to improve focus during study or research sessions.
- If you like to study with others, here’s one to try!
2. Emotional and Mental Well-being
Stress & Anxiety Management
- Access Guided Meditation and Mindfulness Resources to manage stress. Try Headspace or Calm which offer free resources for students.
Counseling Services & Support
- Counseling Services offers support specifically for graduate students. Reach out for help with stress, burnout, or any personal challenges. This is a free resource for all Elon students.
- Schedule an Appointment
- Counseling Services offers a Graduate Student Support Group in addition to other group and workshop opportunities.
3. Social and Community Thriving
Building Connections
- Attend Graduate Student Socials and social events to build connections with peers across disciplines.
- Join Student Organizations and professional networks within your field to expand your support system and curate professional networks.
- Student Organizations
- Higher Education Student Association (HESA)
- National Black Law Student Association (BLSA)
- Professional Organizations
- Higher Education
- Student Organizations
ACPA: College Student Educators International
NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
SACSA: Southern Association for College Student Affairs
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- Law
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NALP: National Association for Law Placement
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- Physical Therapy
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APTA: American Physical Therapy Association
FSBPT: Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
Navigating Relationships with Advisors & Mentors
- Communication is key in building positive relationships with advisors and peers.
- Establish expectations and boundaries early to ensure a supportive and productive mentorship experience.
4. Physical Health and Well-Being
Exercise & Nutrition
- Explore gym memberships, group exercise classes, and sports to stay active.
- Greensboro
- Greensboro Downtown Parks offers free fitness classes and other programming throughout the year
- Stonewall Sports Greensboro is an LGBTQ+ and Ally sports league
- Greensboro has seven YMCA locations and other local gyms where you can become a member and access group exercise classes, club sports, etc.
- Burlington
- Elon offers all current Elon students, faculty, and staff free access to every recreation & wellness facility on campus
- Group exercise classes are also available!
- 10 minutes away from campus the Alamance County Community YMCA is a great place to explore local fitness offerings
- Elon offers all current Elon students, faculty, and staff free access to every recreation & wellness facility on campus
- Greensboro
- Discover meal planning resources and nutrition guidance, specifically for busy schedules!
Sleep & Rest
- Getting plenty of sleep each night is essential for thriving.
5. Finding Balance: Work, Life, and Well-Being
Prioritizing your Self-Care
- Set time aside each week for self-care. This can be:
- a hobby
- simple relaxation
- connecting with friends and family
- Check out Self-Care Tips here.
Setting Boundaries & Managing Expectations
- Knowing when to say “no” and setting realistic expectations for yourself can prevent burnout.
- Use this Boundary-Setting worksheet to create a framework that works for you.
6. Career Development and Professional Growth
Exploring Career Paths
- Connect with advisors and mentors who can help you navigate career options.
Networking & Skill Building
- Attend workshops, conferences, and seminars to develop skills.
- Explore LinkedIn Learning and Elon Next for free or low-cost courses.
Resources and Support Links
Abulnaga, M. (n.d.). How to communicate in grad school: Eecs communication lab. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://mitcommlab.mit.edu/eecs/2020/10/16/how-to-communicate-in-grad-school/
Brown, D. J., Arnold, R., Fletcher, D., & Standage, M. (2017). Human thriving: A conceptual debate and literature review. European Psychologist, 22(3), 167–179. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000294
Career exploration and skill development. (n.d.). Youth.Gov. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-employment/career-exploration-and-skill-development
FREE Self Assessment Questionnaire | Monica Romeo | Are you Thriving? (n.d.). Monicaromeo. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.monicaromeo.com/self-assessment-questionaire
Lantsoght, E. (2013). Sleep in graduate school. https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/sleep-graduate-school
Larson, B. (2024, February 19). Treading Water, or Self-Care and Success as a Graduate Student. Blog of the APA. https://blog.apaonline.org/2024/02/19/treading-water-or-self-care-and-success-as-a-graduate-student/
Leonard, K., & Watts, R. (2022, March 27). The Ultimate Guide To S.M.A.R.T. Goals. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/smart-goals/
Martins, J. (n.d.). Set—And achieve—SMART-er goals [2024]. Asana. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://asana.com/resources/smart-goals
Pychyl, T. A. (2008). Goal progress and happiness. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dont-delay/200806/goal-progress-and-happiness
Qin, G. (2024). Maintaining physical wellness as a grad student. Graduate Student Resource Center. https://gsrc.ucr.edu/blog/2024/02/28/maintaining-physical-wellness-grad-student
Self-Care Tips for Grad Students | Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS). (n.d.). The University of Arizona. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://caps.arizona.edu/self-care-tips-grad-students
Setting boundaries: Info and practice | Worksheet. (n.d.). Therapist Aid. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/setting-boundaries
What Makes A Thriving Community? (2023, December 1). Thriving Communities. https://www.thrivingcommunities.org/post/what-makes-a-thriving-community