From 2018-2019, the Division of Student Life has been reviewing literature concerning resilience in students to inform the creation of material to foster resilience in students and to improve program design. In conjunction with this ongoing work, the Innovation Hub undertook a design thinking project utilizing long-form empathy interviews with students on the topic of resilience. We wanted to better understand what resilience looks like at the University of Toronto and what is being done to support it. We found that resilience appears as self-management skills and critical self-reflection, both of which can be honed through participation in much of the extra-curricular programming available on campus.
Fostering Connectedness
Students experience a sense of belonging and connection within the UofT community.
Integrated Learning Experience
Students engage fully in learning experiences both within and outside of the classroom.
Whole Student Development
Students receive the support they need for their holistic well-being (physical, psychological, social, and emotional).
OUR FINDINGS
Speaking with students from a variety of backgrounds, our team determined that resilience appears as self-management skills and critical self-reflection, both of which can be honed through participation in much of the extra-curricular programming available on campus. Themes to support this finding were:
- Managing the Self
- Self-Advocacy
- Involvement as Resiliency
These themes and insights are supported through additional quotes from students, personas, and next steps to consider as we foster resilience at UofT. Learn more by accessing the report below.
Read more about the project:
Research Team
Aishwarya Babu
Sarah Dolman
Nicholas Feinig
Mia Sanders
