Nowhere in life are we specifically taught how to manage our stress. We’ve accepted stress as a part of our daily lives as students and young adults, and sometimes equate success with stress. If we’re not stressed, often we don’t feel successful. Stress impacts every aspect of our lives: our health, relationships, education, etc.

In this Decal, we would like to introduce students to evidence-based breathing and meditation techniques, for them to choose to employ in their own lives. We would like to create conversation around different modes of stress-management, and the link between stress and our forms of expression, i.e. our human values: service, creativity, happiness, leadership, authenticity, awareness, etc.

In the beginning of every class, we will debrief the previous class (readings, lecture, etc.) and connect it to the current week’s content. We will conduct activities, host guest speakers, breathe and meditate according to the topic of each lecture. There will be multiple opportunities for students to participate actively in class and ask questions. There will also be an opportunity for students to choose a consistent wellness practice they would like to adopt in their life and will be guided in doing so through different assignments/activities.

Students will also be asked to answer discussion questions and complete reading comprehension assessments on b-courses prior to each class. For the final assignment, students can choose between writing a final research paper and presentation on the topics covered in class, or attending the 15 hour SKY Happiness Retreat designed to help them step out of overdrive. The retreat will be free of charge for Decal students and involve no additional costs.

In order to pass this class, you are required to end the class with a grade of 70% or higher.

Please read the whole syllabus to learn more about the class: https://tiny.cc/skysyllabus

Our class is open to all and enrolls students on a first come, first served basis. All interested students must complete the Step Out of Overdrive DeCal Registration Form (Google Form application): https://tiny.cc/skyreg The CCN you need to register will be provided upon completion of the form. The class will begin on Tuesday January 31st / Wednesday February 1st at 6:30 PM PST and will meet every Tuesday/Wednesday thereafter.