Most, if not all, of us strive to have a passion in life. We look forward to discovering what ours might be, spending time on them, and devoting energy to their pursuit. Passions can even come to define us. While passions can develop at any age, college students find them particularly important. Nearly 100% of students have indicated that they believe having a passion is an essential aspect of living a fulfilling life. Yet passions can be pursued in both healthy and unhealthy ways. In this story and science-packed 30-minute Lunch & Learn, U-Thrive Co-Director of Curriculum Development and NYU Clinical Instructor Dan Lerner will explore the distinctions between these two paths, and share how we can get more of what we want and less of what we don’t.

In this Learning Lab, we will be discussing various types of passion and how they are related to grit, perseverance, goal setting, and growth mindset. We will initiate a conversation about what faculty and staff are observing, and examine how curricular and co-curricular activities can be seamlessly incorporated on your campus. By engaging in discussions and self-reflection, we aim to motivate students to take a proactive role in their learning, ultimately promoting personal agency and increased psychological well-being.