Did you know that a strong sense of meaning and purpose can motivate you and help you generate the determination to fulfil your school-related goals? And did you know that students who see meaning in what they do not only experience success more often, but they also experience better well-being and show more resiliency in times of discomfort? This blog will discuss the science of meaning and will help you reflect on your purpose. Presented activities will help you to increase your happiness and your ability to flourish in your everyday life. Let’s dive into revelation of what is meaningful to you to update your personal compass!

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This blog introduces the concept of life-crafting intervention, a method aimed to enhance both, your academic performance and well-being by helping you to uncover your life purpose. We will cover the main components of this intervention together, thus we will reflect on your present and future life, setting goals, making plans, and taking actions in line with your values. The blog will provide you with practical exercises, such as discovering your values and passions, reflecting on your competencies and habits, envisioning your future career, and setting meaningful goals. You and I will also discuss the importance of finding meaning in everyday life activities, particularly in the context of school, work, and your personal life. And we will not skip a reflective exercise to care for your meaning well-being flower along with learning about practical tips as always.

 

As university students, often being far away from home for the first time, having more opportunities to get to know yourself better, we find ourselves in a crossroad. You might find yourself wondering whether your goals are aligned with your authentic values and passions. We will practice "life crafting" together, a research-based method to help you discover your purpose. Because as already said, finding meaning in activities we do in our everyday lives may help us to improve our academic performance and life satisfaction.

 

Would you be interested in building your meaning?

Let me share with you some tips from my newest book Well-being and Success for University Students (Kočí & Donaldson, 2024).
 

It’s time to life craft! To start a process supported by Michaéla Schippers' research, which involves goal-setting to find purpose in studies. Because modern life's distractions often divert all of us from authentic goals, leading to a focus on societal expectations rather than personal values. You will have a chance to try your personal goal setting to find meaning in studies and beyond. You will be invited to journal about your values, passions, and goals not only to potentially improve your academic performance, but mainly to boost your overall well-being.

 

Let’s grab a pen and paper and discover your values and passion (Schippers & Ziegler, 2019 in (Kočí & Donaldson, 2024)) by writing about:

 

• what you like to do

• what kind of relationships you would like to have, both in your private life and

• your work/school life

• what kind of career you would like to have

• lifestyle choices you would like to make for the elements of your values and pasions

 

Write also about your ideal future (Schippers & Ziegler, 2019 in (Kočí & Donaldson, 2024)) by writing on this prompt:

 

• describe your best possible self and future when there are no (self-imposed) constraints (contrast this with “future if no changes made”)

 

Write down specific goal attainment and “if-then” plans (Schippers & Ziegler, 2019 in (Kočí & Donaldson, 2024)):

 

• formulate, strategize, and prioritize goals

• identify and describe ways to overcome obstacles

• monitor progress toward goals for the element of attainment and “if-then” plans

 

Reflect on your current and desired competencies and habits (Schippers & Ziegler, 2019 in (Kočí & Donaldson, 2024)) and write about:

 

• qualities you admire in others

• competencies you have or would like to acquire

• your own habits you like or dislike the elements of current and desired competencies and habits

 

Reflect on your possible future career or path (Schippers & Ziegler, 2019 in (Kočí & Donaldson, 2024)) by writing about:

• what is important in a job

• what is it you like to do

• what kind of colleagues do you want

• who do you want to meet through your work

 

And write also about:

• relationships that energize and de-energize you

• kinds of friends and acquaintances that are good for you

• kinds of friends and acquaintances you would like to have in the future

• what your ideal family life and broader social life would look like for the elements of present and future social life

 

Reflect on your writings and try to be mindful about your values, desires, and to prioritize those relationships that support your ideal life vision!

 

References:

Kočí, J. (2024). Building Well-being of University Students. Praha: Univerzita Karlova, Pedagogická fakulta. ISBN 978-80-7603-506-5.

Koci, J. & Donaldson, S. I. (2024). Well-being and Success of University Students: Applying PERMA+4. New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN: 9781032457185; DOI: 10.4324/9781003378365. 

Koci, J., & Donaldson, S. I. (2022). Zdraví a mentální well-being studentů distančního vzdělávání. Prague: Charles University. ISBN: 978-80-7603-357-3.