Turning Classroom Failure Into Student Success: The Value of Integrating Resiliency Building Activities in the Academic Classroom

Abstract

Millennials are a unique generational cohort populating the classroom, leaving university professors with the challenge of appropriately preparing them for the chaotic workforce. One challenge is their lower levels of resiliency. When faced with setbacks, Millennials tend to give up instead of bouncing back. This lack of resiliency is negatively affecting their academic success as well as causing a decrease in job performance, lack of career success, and lack of organizational retention. This article will help readers (a) develop a deeper understanding of Millennials’ unique traits and behaviors, (b) develop a deeper awareness of resiliency, and (c) use two experiential classroom exercises that can help university professors increase resiliency awareness in the classroom.