Psychology of Student Success Course Page

Welcome to the Psychology of Student Success course site! This first-year seminar was designed by Duke Psychology & Neuroscience faculty member, Bridgette Martin Hard, and by Duke class of ’19 Sabriyya Pate. The class was supported by Duke Learning Innovation’s Course Design Institute and Jump Start Grant program.

The primary goal of this course is to critically examine what it means to be “successful” in college and to use the tools of psychology to promote student success, be it academic, social, and/or emotional.

This course was designed to help students approach their Duke career with greater knowledge and intention. By interrogating specific aspects of Duke student life, students gain a richer understanding of best practices and strategies for their remaining years on campus. Students also develop useful skills in scientific literacy, critical thinking, self-reflection, written and oral communication, and teamwork.

Students analyze and discuss the science behind three major facets of college success: academic performance, social relationships, and mental and physical well-being. Course topics draw from the literature on motivation, self-control, learning, memory, social comparison, intergroup conflict, culture, relationships, emotion regulation, and physical and mental health. Outside of class, students complete written assignments and reflection papers. In class, students primarily engage in active discussions and other learning activities. Across the term, students work in groups to share their newfound knowledge by creating educational videos for incoming freshman.