Thrive Lectures

What are Thrive Lectures?

St. Lawrence is proud to offer a series of classroom lectures rooted in our seven dimensions of well-being. Through these lectures, students will improve skills such as professional communication, financial literacy, and stress management, as well as learn ways to intentionally care for their well-being. Thrive Lectures set students up to flourish at St. Lawrence and beyond!  

Thrive Lectures are coordinated by the Wellness Education office. For questions, reach out to wellness@stlawu.edu

Thrive Lectures for the 2026-2027 Academic Year:

Balance and Boundaries: Navigating Technology and Social Media with Intention (Digital Wellness): How can use of technology and social media impact our physical, mental, and social health? In this lecture, students will learn how to build balanced and healthy relationships with digital devices and tech tools. 45 minutes, presenting by the Counseling Center. 

Budgeting Basics (Financial Literacy): By popular student request! Students will learn the basics of building a budget and managing expenses, as well as how to navigate credit cards and credit scores (What are they? How are they calculated and how do they impact you?), as well as practical tax prep tips. 45 minutes, presented by Student Life. 

The Mind-Body Connection (Mind & Body): How do the ways you take care of your body influence your mental health and academic performance? This lecture will discuss the impacts of sleep, substance use, nutrition, and exercise, and the ways that our physical health and mental health are connected. 60 minutes, presented by Wellness Education. 

Managing Stress in College (Mind & Body Dimension): This lecture will focus on common stressors that college students experience, the impact they have on overall well-being, and actionable steps students can take to manage the stress during college and beyond.  45 minutes; presented by the Counseling Center.

Thriving Amid Climate Challenges (Environmental & Community Engagement Dimension): We live in an era in which terms like eco-anxiety and climate grief have entered our lexicon. Members of Gen Z not only worry about their own futures but are increasingly reluctant to have children out of fear of the pending impacts of climate change. In this session, students will discuss their perceptions of eco-anxiety and climate grief, as well as examine the work of individuals who believe we can transform our mindsets, focus on the healing power of nature and personal and community resilience, and in the words of author an environmental studies professor, Sarah Jaquette Ray "take action rooted in radical acceptance of our hurt, anger, fear, and fierce love for the planet."  45 minutes; presented by the Center for the Environment.

Mastering the Message: Professional Communication (Intellectual & Career Exploration Dimension): In an increasingly interconnected and diverse professional landscape, the ability to communicate effectively is a vital skill that will set an applicant apart. Career Excellence staff will delve into the intricacies of verbal and written communication and explore conveying ideas with clarity and confidence. This interactive presentation is designed to equip students with the tools and strategies needed to navigate various communication scenarios including digital communication, networking, job interviews, and more. 60 minutes; presented by the Center for Career Excellence. 

Healthy Relationships, Communication, and Conflict Resolution (Social Belonging & Inclusion Dimension): There are many types of relationships. How do you navigate them? How do you communicate within these relationships, especially when faced with conflict? This lecture explores the various relationships students hold, steps to improve communication, and strategies to manage and resolve conflicts. 45 minutes; presented by  the Counseling Center. 

Building Emotional Intelligence (Social Belonging & Inclusion Dimension): Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand, use, and manage one's emotions in a positive way to overcome challenges, as well as to understand the experiences of others. A high EQ is linked to success in personal and professional relationships. This Thrive lecture will explore the concept of emotional intelligence and ways to build this important skill.  45 minutes; presented by the Counseling Center.