“Fitness” means something different to everyone. We often see that even some of the “fittest” people don’t excel in all 5 components of fitness:
- Body Composition
- Muscular Strength
- Muscular Endurance
- Cardiovascular Health
- Flexibility
Each of these areas can be measured and improved through exercise and diet. Why should we focus on all 5 components? How can we fit all 5 into our fitness routine?
This presentation will give students new ideas for their approach to exercise and will explain the benefits that come with being well-rounded.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will understand each of the 5 components of fitness and be able to apply that knowledge toward a thorough definition of fitness.
- Students should come to value their personal fitness levels and may be able to identify personal focus areas.
- Students will be able to set goals based on normative values and their own personal fitness needs.
How does this relate to student success?
Evidence suggests that increasing physical activity positively affects cognitive function and academic performance, so it’s important that college students not only build effective study habits, but implement fitness practices as well. Quite often, students struggle to begin a fitness regimen because they don’t know where to start. This session should lay out several paths toward improving fitness and clarify what it means to be fit.
Managing money is an essential life skill, especially during college. Financial Wellness 101 introduces students to the fundamentals of budgeting, saving, and using credit responsibly. Participants will learn how to track income and expenses, build healthy savings habits, and understand how credit works. This presentation provides practical strategies and resources to help students make informed financial decisions now and in the future.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify the key components of a basic budget and track personal expenses.
- Explain the importance of saving and how to begin building savings habits.
- Describe how credit works and recognize responsible versus risky credit behaviors.
How does this relate to student success?
Financial stress can negatively impact focus, mental health, and academic performance. By developing financial literacy skills, students are better prepared to manage expenses, avoid unnecessary debt, and reduce financial anxiety. Strong money management skills support persistence, academic engagement, and long-term stability during and after college.
Got stress? Of course—who doesn’t! In this interactive presentation, students are taught how to change their view of stress: instead of debilitate, stress can enhance their academic and personal lives. In addition, the group learns and practices stress-resiliency skills.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will identify multiple sources of stress and how these forms of stress present themselves mentally and physically.
- Students will equip themselves to reframe the stress presented in their life and understand steps towards developing a “growth” mindset
- Students will practice multiple relaxation techniques promoting improved coping skills and lowering perceived stress.
How does this relate to student success?
TCU, Stress is the #1 impediment to academic performance according to the National College Health Assessment. High stress levels can have an extremely detrimental effect on our mind with reduced memory, impaired decision making, lowered comprehension, and reduced ability to focus. As we learn to manage the various stressors of college, this will not only improve an individual’s quality of life: it will improve performance in all aspects of their lives including academically, employability, and relationships.
Many college students experience self-doubt, even when they are capable and successful. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome helps students understand what imposter syndrome is, why it occurs, and how it can affect confidence, belonging, and achievement. Through guided discussion and interactive activities, participants will explore common imposter thoughts and behaviors. Students will leave with practical tools to challenge self-doubt, recognize their strengths, and build a more confident and authentic sense of self.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify key characteristics and common triggers of imposter syndrome.
- Recognize how imposter syndrome affects confidence, belonging, and academic or personal goals.
- Practice at least two strategies to reframe negative self-talk and build self-confidence.
How does this relate to student success?
Imposter syndrome can interfere with motivation, engagement, and help-seeking behaviors, all of which are critical to student success. Learning how to recognize and manage self-doubt helps student develop a stronger sense of belonging and become better equipped to persist through challenges. Such skills support achievement in both academic and co-curricular experiences as well as overall well-being.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. Most suicides can be prevented if others learn to recognize the risk factors, develop comfort asking about suicidal thoughts, and know where to send someone for help. Participants in this presentation will leave with practical knowledge for helping others who might be at risk for suicide.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will understand the signs of depression and suicidal ideation
- Students will be able to better understand behavioral and situational risk factors which may put someone at heightened risk for suicide
- Students will learn how to have conversations with individuals having suicidal ideation by using a framework of asking Questions about someone they are concerned about, Persuading this individual to seek help, and understanding which resources are most appropriate for the individual to engage.
How does this relate to student success?
According to the National College Health Assessment, at TCU, stress, anxiety, and depression are three of the top five impediments to academic performance. Suicidal ideation, attempts, and completed suicide rates have increased significantly in the past decade. Knowing someone or experiencing depression and/or suicidal ideation can consume all aspects of one’s self, negatively impacting performance in all aspects of life. Creating a community that cares, identifies risk factors and warning signs for suicide, and strongly promotes seeking help improves a campus community and the success of all students.
Sleep is a powerful yet often overlooked factor in both academic success and overall well-being. This workshop explores how sleep affects learning, memory, mood, physical health, and stress management. Students will gain a clearer understanding of the mental, physical, and emotional impacts of sleep deprivation. Participants will also learn practical, realistic strategies to improve sleep quality—even with busy college schedules—so they can feel more focused, energized, and resilient.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Explain how sleep influences academic performance, mental health, and physical functioning.
- Identify common sleep challenges faced by college students and their personal sleep habits.
- Apply at least two evidence-based strategies to improve sleep quality and consistency.
How does this relate to student success?
Adequate sleep supports attention, memory, emotional regulation, and decision-making. These skills are essential for academic success and overall well-being. Improving sleep habits can enhance classroom performance and concentration. Better sleep also reduces stress and burnout and helps students manage the demands of college life, supporting both immediate success and long-term health.
One of the greatest and worst things about college is having so much “free time”! In this workshop, we will discuss the benefits and dangers of having so much “free time” and what students should be doing during this “free time.” Through discussion and activities, students will acquire time management skills.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will understand how to improve basic time management skills such as calendars, to-do lists, and planners.
- Students will understand how advanced time management techniques such as prioritization will improve their efficiency and productivity
- Students will practice multiple methods of time management techniques
- Students will identify how to manage not only a busy and stressful academic schedule, but how to be successful with conflicting life demands.
How does this relate to student success?
Time stress is one of the four main types of stress in people’s lives. Improving time management skills is a version of stress management specifically tailored towards time stress. Focusing on improving our efficiency, productivity and the feeling of stress associated with various obligations will lower our perceived stress levels and improve our academic performance.
We are in a fascinating time in history right now as the legalization of a Schedule 1 drug, marijuana, is changing state to state. While it remains federally illegal at this time, we are being inundated with new information (some empirical, most not) and marketing about cannabis products. This workshop provides objective information about what we do and do not know about the plant and its derived products.
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain understanding of history, legal status, and methods of use of cannabis products
- Gain knowledge of potency of products and the associated risks of use
- Learn strategies for harm reduction and/or prosocial bystander invention
How does this relate to student success?
Is weed safe? Should it be legalized everywhere? Should I try it? These are all questions that your students may be asking themselves. The national landscape is constantly changing: state to state legislation varies, it remains federally illegal, but the FDA cannot keep up with the claims of CBD or THC “curing” this or that ailment. Right, wrong, or indifferent – the perception of risk of cannabis use is decreasing. But does that make it safe? This presentation will provide students facts about the cannabis plant, information about risks and harm reduction strategies to consider if they or others around them choose to use.