Seniors,

Psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun (2004) have spent much of their careers researching what they call posttraumatic growth.  They have found that battling adversity and life challenges often leads to “an increased appreciation for life, more meaningful relationships, increased personal strength, changed priorities, and a richer spiritual life.”  This resiliency and personal growth was the topic of a discussion board posed to AP Psychology students on April 10th.

I want to highlight responses from Seniors taking the course. 

“We build resiliency by going through rough times or any kind of experience that truly impacted us.  The people who surround us can also help us build up resiliency, they can encourage us every step of the way, reassure us that we are doing great.  But I think it is different for everyone.” – Senior, Class of 2020

“I believe that we build resiliency through experience with adversity.  The more we struggle and overcome, the stronger we get.  This also allows us to learn how we can cope with it.” – Senior, Class of 2020

“I think we build resiliency through experiences and the hardships we encounter.  The idea of ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ and we learn throughout our life how to cope and gain personal strength.” – Senior, Class of 2020

Be frustrated.  Let emotions run.  Know that your class understands the adversity.  Recognize that from life’s challenges come personal growth.  Be resilient.  It’s not fair.  There are losses.  No non-senior fully grasps what you are going through.  This is not easy.  The challenge is to find “an increased appreciation for life, more meaningful relationships, increased personal strength, changed priorities, and a richer spiritual life.”  

Be resilient.  I’ll see you at graduation.

Mr. Fox