Class Descriptions

“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.

What does it look like to effectively collaborate with other on a project or job? How can you communicate in a manner that leads to the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders? Participants will engage in conversation and skill building that will help them in future group and team settings. The experiential learning and perspective gained from this session will be transferable to current life as well as the future.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Participants will learn the importance of creating a common language that assists in clear communication.
  • Participants will be challenged to understand the connection of intent and impact of their and others communication.

How does this relate to student success?
This session will lead to academic success through student improvement in their ability to communicate and their understanding of how others communicate. With the educational and professional worlds focusing on group and team projects, this will be a critical connection for students to use in a variety of life events.

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.

Being an educated individual who thinks and acts as an ethical leader in the global community requires students to be financially fit and responsible. TCU’s financial literacy program called “One Million Reasons” (OMR) redefines this mentality. Material is taught through interactive videos, activities, and group discussion with topics such as budgeting, savings, and credit. To learn more, click here.

Learning Outcomes

  • OMR strengthens intellectual competence in a number of program areas, specifically in workshop environments and one-on-one financial fitness coaching sessions where students are asked to set personal goals and address current or potential adverse circumstances (i.e. building of emergency funds).
  • OMR’s mission emphasizes this vector in that students are taught the importance of financial interdependence and given opportunities to exercise initiative, problem solving through case studies in workshop environments and more (varying on structure of workshop or event).

How does this relate to student success?
OMR programming helps students develop a commitment to their financial future, giving them tangible action items to make wise decisions relating to money, saving and investing now.

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.

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.