Additional Resources for Self-Awareness

From Surviving to Thriving: Developing Personal and Academic Resilience

Important Note: From Surviving to Thriving is not intended as a medical or mental health intervention

From Surviving to Thriving is a resource designed to help individuals, particularly students, build personal and academic resilience. It focuses on strategies to manage stress, improve well-being, and foster healthier responses to challenges. This resource emphasizes recognizing automatic stress responses, exploring stressors, choosing healthier coping strategies, and developing strong support networks. It is not intended as a medical or mental health intervention but instead provides tools to improve resilience in the face of adversity, including stress from academic pressures, personal difficulties, and external challenges. This text advocates for a balanced approach to stress, recognizing that while stress is inevitable, resilience can help individuals adapt and thrive in both personal and academic settings.

From Surviving to Thriving was originally created based on evidence from various academic sources, ensuring that the strategies and approaches proposed are supported by research. To ensure its effectiveness and accuracy, it was analyzed by McMaster University in late 2017, which allowed for adjustments to be made to its content. The updated version, which incorporated the results of this analysis, was then evaluated through a pilot program at Queen’s University, with the evaluation completed in early 2019. This thorough evaluation process helped improve the resource’s reliability and its applicability for those seeking to strengthen their resilience and manage stress both personally and academically.