social and emotional learning


Safe drinking tips for college students: Preserve your physical and mental health while under the influence

For many undergraduate college students (as well as those who’ve since graduated), drinking alcohol seems synonymous with the university experience. It can be a way to celebrate getting through final exams or winning a home football game. Most notoriously, a drink in hand can also loosen our social inhibitions, to…

Astrology and the Barnum effect: Understanding our personal belief systems and why so many people love horoscopes

You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a strong opinion about astrology, which assigns meaning to the placement of the planets and the stars. Twenty-nine percent of Americans believe in horoscopes, and the people who say they don’t are quick to defend their reasons why.  As much as…

Dads get a bad rap: Insights into being a supportive father, despite what pop culture and societal stereotypes may say

Starting in the mid-20th century, father figures in pop culture, especially those portrayed on TV, have been characterized with negative attributes. Don’t be mistaken; there’s comedic gold to be mined from the blunders of characters like Bernie McCullough in “The Bernie Mac Show,” Hank Hill in “King of The Hill,”…

Post-pandemic parenting: Tips for socializing kids and encouraging personal growth in adolescents, teens

Just because the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be over, doesn’t mean  everything is back to normal. And if you’ve got children, you may be underestimating the ways in which virtual learning might’ve affected their social skills and sense of independence.  The development of socialization skills, along with…

I hate myself‚ is that normal?

It’s not always easy to distinguish what is healthy criticism of oneself and serious self-loathing. The following signs may point to the latter: You take everything to heart. This might mean taking constructive criticism harshly or twisting what others say into insults. You compare yourself to everyone. You’re in the…

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