When the going gets tough Developing Emotional Resilience

When the going gets tough: Developing Emotional Resilience in First Year Students Sue Morgan Senior Lecturer and Clinical Placement Coordinator in Diagnostic Radiography http: //padlet. com/sue_morgan/resilience

Before we begin. . . • http: //padlet. com/sue_morgan/resilience

Why this session?

Diagnostic Radiography at BCU • Faculty of Health, Education & Life Sciences • 118 DR students per intake • 50/50 spilt of clinical placement and academic • Elongated academic year – 42 weeks • Placement – 34. 5 hours per week • Academic – approx 20 hours per week • No tuition fees; means tested bursary

Diagnostic Radiography Students • 75% mature • 46% ethnic minority • 92% non-traditional entry qualifications • 58% female / 42% male

Why resilience? • Increasing number of students apparently unable to cope with demands of programme • Anecdotally affecting attrition and success • Placement appeared to be main problem • In reality placement not sole issue • “Being a student is difficult. . . ” • Not all students • Spread across different “types” of students

What is resilience? • Complex, multifaceted (Grant & Kinman, 2013) • Ability to adapt / bounce back • Survive and function in adversity • Educational vs. socio-emotional resilience (Walker et al, 2006) • Is it a trait or can it be taught?

Determination & coping skills Morality; empathy; cultural competence Humour Self belief Resilience Independence & social confidence Initiative & problem solving skills Relationships / support networks Creativity

Can we spot a resilient student?

Can we spot a resilient student?

Thrive, survive (or going under. . . ) es Student A v i r h T es o G er d n u Su rv jus ives t! 40 yr old, white♀ Access course, 3 children Single parent Lives 35 from university Was a shop assistant Student B 20 yr old; white ♂ Living in accommodation 10 miles to placement A-levels. Good grades Part time job Student C 19 yr old; British Asian ♂ Lives with parents; 5 miles to university; 20 miles to placement; BTEC straight from school Part time job Student D 29 yr old; Black African ♀ Su rvi ve 2 children; has husband s Access course Lives 2 miles from university Part time job

How is resilience measured?

Helping students to become more resilient. . . • ABCs • Self-awareness • Relaxation • Worst case scenario • Super. Better

dversity elief onsequence

Self-awareness • Self awareness is key to emotional resilience • What qualities make me feel good about myself? • What can I offer the world around me? • What is my own definition of happiness? • What value do you put on yourself?

Factors which lead to positive change & outcomes Internal attributes Strengths • • Weaknesses What are you good at? • What do you struggle What do you do well? with? What are you proud of? • What do you need to What previous skills/ improve? knowledge/experience do • What do you avoid? you have? Opportunities External attributes Factors which may compromise development Challenges • What support network do • What external pressures you have? may affect you? • How is this course • Who/what may get in changing your life? your way?

An Oak or A Palm?

Relaxation. . . https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=sb. NZ 1 pi 2 Us 8

Worst case scenario – putting it in perspective

Control… • Perceiving to be in control is a good predictor of coping with stressful events (Funk 1992)

Super. Better • A tool / game designed to strengthen emotional, physical, social and mental resilience • Available as app or via web: • http: //www. superbetter. com/ • Basic principles can be demonstrated to students… http: //www. ted. com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_the_game_th at_can_give_you_10_extra_years_of_life

Physical resilience • If you can move one part of your body for one minute every hour that you’re awake your physical resilience will improve!

Mental resilience • If you complete one small mental challenge every day without giving up you will increase metal focus and determination

Emotional resilience • If you can do three tiny things a day that make you feel good and provoke positive emotion you will improve your emotional resilience!

Social resilience • Touch and gratitude are just two ways to strengthen your social connections. If you can reach out to one person a day, online or face to face you will improve your social resilience!

To summarise • Being a first year student is hard • There are many challenges in transition • Students have to develop their own resilience • We can give them the tools to achieve this • Sue. morgan@bcu. ac. uk

References • Funk, S. C. (1995) Hardiness: a review of theory and research. Health Psycology 11(5), 335 -45. • Grant, L. and Kinman, G. (2014) Emotional Resilience in the Helping Professions and how it can be Enhanced. Health and Social Care Education 3(1), 23 -34. • Walker, C. Gleaves, A. & Grey, J. (2006) Can students within higher education learn to be resilient and, educationally speaking, does it matter? Educational Studies 32(3), 251 -264.