https://youtube.com/shorts/Bvo0FXfS7t4?feature=shared When faced with a choice, ask yourself: Do I need to slow down? Am I being impulsive? Will I have regrets? Do I have all the information? Is it worth the wait? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXZvf2_UHJ0 Reflection Questions 1. Do you consider yourself a patient person, an impatient person, an impulsive person? Does your answer depend on... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/ldOlNJ0ds0c The idea we have for our life rarely matches up with the life we end up with. Plan A is fantasy. Plan B is reality. Growth is not a straight line, which is often a blessing in disguise, yet something we seldom realize in the thick of life. How do we move on from... Continue Reading →
Today marks my 20th orientation with Bachelor of Science Nursing Students at St. Clair College. No matter how many years I attend Fall orientation, it feels like the first time. No matter how many times I work with students, it never gets old. Their first class is my first class. https://youtu.be/4J4oL093oU0 Their struggle is my... Continue Reading →
Transforming our mindset from pain to power and stress to strength is key during uncertain times. And particularly important for students as they complete exams this semester! Watch the video below to hear my endurance mantra during a difficult spinning class at a local gym. https://youtu.be/nD4LmUHG2vM An endurance mantra I use during workouts, in the... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/YbMOOGW_A2Y Back on Campus In this psychology video I share one way I engage students at the start of a semester, including this past week when we were back on campus for the first time, in a very long time! Transcript of Psychology Video Read Here Show Them You Care Connecting with students from a... Continue Reading →
One of my favourite ways to energize before teaching psychology classes at St. Clair College is to summarize a theory in practical and concrete ways in the parking lot.Literally! 🚘 I filmed this video 5 minutes before I was about to teach a lecture on personality and positive psychology in my liberal arts class. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUC7f_3EdHA Just... Continue Reading →
I find the perception of time fascinating.Everyone experiences time differently. Because time truly is relative. Changing from situation to situation.For example: Work Week vs. Vacation Week COVID vs. Pre-COVID Bored versus in Flow Time perception also varies from person to person. For example: Teenager vs. Baby Boomer Good Health vs. Poor Health Type A Personality... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/czXG8odb7pY A map for transforming stress into strength In my TEDx Talk and leadership training, I discuss how to THRIVE under pressure using 3 stress resilience tools: dr.-andrea-dinardo-thriving-under-pressure-training-and-speaking-servicesDownload 1. Commitment Envisioning a higher purpose above and beyond the immediate stressor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjxCsK2qudw 2. Challenge Reframing stressful challenges as opportunities for growth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7TFtJHASn8 3. Control Focusing on the things... Continue Reading →
When things go wrong, what do you focus on first? The world outside you or the world within you? The following is a video and activity overview from Part 2 of the 2020 SRC Leadership Development Workshop. Click Here for Part 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVEjYGl9c0k Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control... Continue Reading →
“The strength of any organization is a direct result of the strength of its leaders.” — John C. Maxwell The best part is that strengths-based leadership skills can be learned, developed, mentored, and coached. https://youtu.be/pjxCsK2qudw?si=xHsV_IBAKQq47am2 Student Leaders Training and Development Strengths- based leadership is the cornerstone of my work with Ontario student leaders. Including St.... Continue Reading →
LESSONS LEARNED In this post, I share the lessons learned at a thriving teams thriving leaders board retreat. It was a true team effort! With the team-building and leadership exercises equally led by the student leaders and myself. Please join in and explore the reflection questions, interactive activities, and workshop videos with the teams... Continue Reading →
Glimpse inside my classroom https://youtube.com/shorts/-KbyDnDI4QA?si=bKM7kj8bFdvcg9_q TRADITIONAL VERSUS POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY "While traditional psychology focuses its attention on pathology and problems, in the relatively new field of positive psychology, researchers strive to explore and understand the strengths of individuals that contribute to their flourishing." Source: Psychology Guide https://youtu.be/qGg70RIiUR8 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION Strengths first I am passionate about... Continue Reading →
Time + Energy Audit 1. What area of your life do you need to slow down in? 2. What area of your life do you need to REV IT UP in? https://youtu.be/jq14fr86-Jk ABCD Priority List Make a list of all the things that you have to do today. Order them in terms of A to... Continue Reading →
"Not until we are lost do we begin to find ourselves." No matter what happens today, know that in the end everything works out. Trust me. I speak from experience. My smile comes equally from a place of darkness and a place of light. How would I ever know how good I have it today... Continue Reading →
Getting to know my students is one of my favourite parts being a professor. Accordingly, I ask students a lot of questions. So it’s only fair that students get to ask me questions too! Why did you become a psychologist? 🎥 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GSJDKR07hDw What’s most interesting about being a college professor? 🎥 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NieGvwEkkEI I would love... Continue Reading →
This post was inspired by the one question students ask year after year: "Why Can't I Remember Anything?" More often than not, it's a focusing and attention issue, not a memory problem. Atkinson–Shiffrin Memory Model An important distinction between attention and memory described in the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVLM9VWCkeU Stay Focused You Can't Do Big Things... Continue Reading →
Most people wince every time they hear the word "stress". It's as if the whole world has been conditioned to respond to stress the same way, by word alone. A habitual thought response that is often more dangerous than the stressor itself. What you believe matters. The latest research in psychology examines stress in an entirely new... Continue Reading →
Students, past and present, motivate me!"The future of the world is in my classroom today." One of my first year BScN nursing students (Mona on the right) asked if I would sign the psychology textbook that I co-wrote and take a photo with her after class this week. She said that an encouraging note and a picture... Continue Reading →
Shifting students positive. So many students come to class anxious and stressed out. The last thing on their minds is learning. Which is why I start each class by asking students what's the best thing that's happened to them today. Reflection ◊ Connection ◊ Motivation Their answers fascinate me. And give me insight into what motivates them.... Continue Reading →
How can two people experience the same stressful event and react in incredibly different ways? What explains the difference between stress thrivers and non-thrivers? Research shows that some individuals possess a set of resilience skills and traits that allows them to flourish in response to stress. https://youtu.be/czXG8odb7pY Thriving Under Pressure TEDx Talk "Resilience is what gives people the... Continue Reading →
How do teachers compete with smartphones? They don't. Resistance is futile. Competing with a machine is a downhill battle. Instead, teachers must focus on what they do best - connecting with students. Rather than lamenting about students being glued to their smartphone, teachers should consider why students do it in the first place. You can't solve a problem... Continue Reading →
The stress of waiting. The list is long when it comes to student stress. But by far, one of the greatest sources of stress is waiting! Students are always forecasting into the future. Every single moment of student life is about waiting. Waiting for grades. Waiting for summer. Waiting for graduation. Forever in a day. Students... Continue Reading →
Do not fear challenge or adversity. Run towards it. Not away from it. Use it consciously. As a stepping stone. To ascend. To soar. To propel yourself forward. To begin again. For strength is ultimately built from challenge, from difficulty, from overcoming. You were born to thrive! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ento8DliEOs
Stressful Times. The one word I hear repeatedly from students this time of year is drowning. Drowning in bills. Drowning in midterms. Drowning in research. Not a pleasant thought. And definitely not energizing. A sinking feeling that takes student motivation from 100 to 0 in an instant. By thought alone. Empowering Lessons. How can we... Continue Reading →
Most people wince every time they hear the word "stress". It's as if the whole world has been conditioned to respond to stress the same way, by the word alone. A habitual thought response that is often more dangerous than the stressor itself. It’s Time to Rethink Everything Including how you have been conditioned to “think”... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J4oL093oU0 I love teaching about psychology as much as I love writing about psychology. And that's a lot! Psychology is my passion Students First Is My Philosophy Which is why I take every opportunity I have to support and encourage student success and development. Whether it be as a reference for college scholarships. Helping stressed out... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/AVLM9VWCkeU?si=QefaAWPnhAh9oWb3 How to focus better when you study Preparation is half the victory. 1. REIGNITE your motivation. Revisit why you are studying in the first place. To one day save someone's life as a nurse. To protect vulnerable children from abuse. To create a business that will employ displaced workers. Your future self will thank... Continue Reading →
I work hard. Too hard sometimes. And I bet you do too. On one hand, that's fantastic. You wouldn't be where you are without steadfastness and sacrifice. On the other hand, having a singular focus on work ultimately shortchanges your potential. Rest is part of the equation. Rest is critical for success. At life and... Continue Reading →
"Create a vision for your life that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning!" Why Vision Boards in the Classroom At the beginning of the semester, I ask nursing students to share their reasons "why" they want to become a nurse. Why this program? Why Nursing? This simple "WHY" question gives students... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjPZM2eDDhE Positive Psychology is My Passion I love everything about positive psychology. The research, the content, the discoveries, the real-life stories, and most importantly, the promise of a better life. The opportunity to write psychology textbooks for McGraw-Hill Ryerson and share my enthusiasm for psychology is a childhood dream come true! What's Your Passion? What Moves You? Motivates You?... Continue Reading →
Shifting from Extrinsic to Intrinsic Motivation We live in a world that rewards frivolous behaviour with fame and fortune, so it is no wonder that some students expect their motivation to come from the outside, in the same way that reality show contestants expect to win a million dollars, simply by “showing up”. How can... Continue Reading →
Thriving Under Pressure 