Being a TA for Flourishing was a Fun, Rewarding Experiment
By Ashley Hagan
Taught by excellent professors, including mine, Dr. Tyndall, Flourishing introduces students to the science of wellbeing. Aka, how to put yourself first and not burn out.
It's not just about mental health, but physical health and emotional health and a variety of other topics like relationships, flow states, and campus resources. Walking into the class, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did, partly because of how aware it made me about my own life and wellbeing.
One of the best parts of the class, though, has to be the TAs. Spending the semester getting to know a few other students in a TA group can be fun and impactful. Especially early on, TAs are a resource, a peer, and someone who can connect you to your other classmates and the rest of campus.
It's not just about mental health, but physical health and emotional health and a variety of other topics like relationships, flow states, and campus resources. Walking into the class, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did, partly because of how aware it made me about my own life and wellbeing.
Sometimes, friendships are formed beyond the class, but even if they’re not, you get a few good stories and a pleasant semester. I still remember my own cheerful, coffee-drinking TA and her many stories.
Following that path and being that person for students seemed amazing. So I made one of the most heartfelt decisions of my time at VCU: becoming a TA myself.
One day in class, I walked up to Professor Tyndall and asked about the application process. And when the application came out, I applied and got accepted.
When I attended the short orientation, I got to look around a diverse room of Honors students, each with different years, different experience levels, and different majors. All were united by the decision to mentor the incoming students. Or at the very least get the resume boost and 20 engagement points.
One of the best parts of the class, though, has to be the TAs. Spending the semester getting to know a few other students in a TA group can be fun and impactful. Especially early on, TAs are a resource, a peer, and someone who can connect you to your other classmates and the rest of campus.
Walking out of the meeting, I remained nervous about talking to my own group - I'm shy, and only a semester removed from the class myself. Still, I greeted the freshmen on only their second day of college classes with a smile.
It went well, if a bit awkward. We did an icebreaker, talked about expectations, discussed classes, and spent the first few weeks of class getting to know each other.
And now, after the last meeting of class, my group has grown into their new role as a student in the VCU Honors College, something I've been privileged to witness firsthand.
I feel like I know each one of their personalities, who’s quiet and who could return as a TA. Even better, the students know each other, share interests and talk freely. Beyond just the students, I've also gotten to know the other TAs in my section and grown more confident planning the TA takeover week with them.
And now, after the last meeting of class, my group has grown into their new role as a student in the VCU Honors College, something I've been privileged to witness firsthand.
I can only imagine how rewarding this has been for more experienced TAs who have done this time and again. So why should you become an Honors Flourishing TA? Honestly, it's one of the most fulfilling classes to TA.
You get to see new takes on presentation topics, influenced by students’ experiences, and watch them draw their own conclusions about how to help their wellbeing. You get to see them open up in their small groups and discussion posts.
If you're shy and take the step to become a TA, you'll also see yourself grow more comfortable with the students and with taking on more of a leadership role. Managing some of the behind-the-scenes elements and responding to discussion posts also provides a new perspective on the class and might change your own point of view on different topics.
We started this semester with three TAs for 20 students, only finding a much needed fourth a few weeks later. It's always easier to connect with students when groups are a little smaller, so if this article spoke to you, apply to become an Honors Flourishing TA today.
Photo Courtesy of Ashley Hagan