This time last year, no one would have thought that we’d be experiencing a pandemic, living through riots, or preparing for a mostly virtual academic year. Instead, we looked forward to a normal fall semester, but we’ve adjusted to the circumstances given to us and have chosen to thrive despite them!

This is resiliency.

When you are going through a difficult situation you have two options.

A.   You can acknowledge that the situation is difficult, allow yourself to experience whatever it is you’re feeling, engage with your support system, and bounce back from it.

B.    OR You can choose to do the opposite.

Let’s be clear, being resilient does not mean that a person doesn't experience difficulty or distress, but rather how a person reacts and recovers from it!

The good news is, there are strategies you can implement to grow in resilience. These strategies will impact you now, as a student, and will carry into life after graduation. They can positively affect the way you pursue your career, participate in graduate school, and handle the various trials you will experience in life.

Some steps you can take towards growing in resilience include:

1.     Be self-aware: Know your tendencies. Do you see the glass as half empty or half full?

2.     Choose to have a positive outlook: Don’t have a victim mentality. It hinders your growth process and weakens your resilience.

3.     Maintain a growth mindset as opposed to a goal mindset: Celebrate the steps you take towards your goals, not merely if you make them! Resist the urge to compare your goals with others; comparing yourself to others never benefits you.

4.     Put on a challenge perspective rather than a hindrance perspective: Don’t see a problem as something that has happened “to you”. Instead, see a problem as something that has happened “for you”. See that switch in perspective?

5.     Take care of yourself: Pay attention to your mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Complete a self-care checklist that energizes you. Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet - everything in moderation!

6.     Engage in your social network: Surround yourself with supportive people and get face-to-face interaction when you are able. Accept help and support from those who care about you.

7.     Get involved: Participate in campus events, religious organizations, work groups, athletic teams, and volunteer your time.

Do you recognize the themes of this post? They are, know yourself, take action, and stay connected. If you want further information on resilience strategies check out our webinar here or reach out to the Career Development Center. We would love to support you in this!