This past semester, a new USC course about self-care, connection, and well-being piloted for an inaugural class of 30 students. A collaboration between Undergraduate Student Government (USG), the Office of Campus Wellness and Crisis Intervention, and the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, THRIVE: Foundations of Well-being covers a range of important topics: success, connection, community, thrive, time, inclusion, mind, body, spirit, wellness, identity, celebration, and vision.
In a time where individuals are feeling more isolated and lonely than ever, there is a huge need to improve the interpersonal relationships and community interactions of students on campus. This one-unit, no homework class creates a space where students from an assortment of years and majors can come together and explore big, deep ideas that they may not have with their own friends or peers. There isn’t exactly an existing time or place at USC to discuss big ideas like setting boundaries, spirituality, imposter syndrome, or civility. THRIVE fills that gap.
Currently, the class is on track to launch for all incoming, first-year students and serve to introduce healthy habits that can benefit the well-being of USC as a whole. With 70 more students taking it this semester, final adjustments to the syllabus and activities will be made before an even larger class in the fall!
Although graduate students are allowed to join these first few pilots and provide feedback, Graduate Student Government has begun brainstorming ways to adapt the existing course to better suit graduate student needs. Thinking more about real obstacles surrounding “adulting” and practical skills (filing tax forms, purchasing insurance, managing a household, etc.), we have added some issues that fit neatly into the existing themes listed earlier. We hope to pilot the graduate student version in the fall, so reach out if you’re interested in being a part of the first class!! Join us in slowing down, thinking about deeper topics, and learning about what it means to thrive at USC and beyond.
Published on February 20th, 2019
Last updated on April 1st, 2021