harvard course on asking yourself why

by Amely Kihn 7 min read

Why do you want to go to Harvard?

May 05, 2017 · Second, ask why. Self-explaining gives voice to our own curiosity. When we don’t know something, “why” questions become more difficult—and create …

What is an online interview at Harvard College?

1. Ask yourself questions to foster awareness about what actions and attitudes will make you happier. Dr. Ben-Shahar offers several examples in his book “Happier”–which also functions as a workbook–such as the following: Complete the following sentence: “To bring five percent more happiness into my life . . .” 2.

What is the most popular course at Harvard University?

Sep 25, 2020 · Ask yourself what the students will be nervous about on the first day and determine how much content you should initially share. Take note of how many students from marginalized groups (such as women or international students) are represented in class. Socioeconomic diversity is important when it comes time to divide groups for intensive ...

Why is it important to ask yourself questions to improve learning?

Jun 16, 2015 · Harvard’s Positive Psychology 1504, taught by professor Tal Ben-Shahar Ph.D., will enter the books as the most popular course in the history of Harvard University. In the spring of 2006, over 1400 Harvard students enrolled in both Positive Psychology 1504 and Ben-Shahar’s Psychology of Leadership course. Positive Psychology 1504 consists of 22 lectures lasting …

How to build happiness?

Build happiness boosters into your life. These are things which you enjoy doing, and can include things such as having lunch with your spouse, reading a good book, taking a warm bath, engaging in a hobby you enjoy, and so on. 5. Create rituals.

What is positive psychology?

Positive Psychology. Positive psychology is “the scientific study of optimal human functioning” and was first introduced as a field of study by Dr. Martin Seligman in 1998, when he was President of the American Psychological Association. Dr.

Why Covenants Matter

My hope is to create an environment where students know I care about them. Why does this covenantal relationship matter? There are three dimensions of this important classroom relationship:

Covenantal vs. Contractual Relationships

As you think about these covenantal relationships, you might be wondering about the contractual opposite. The basic difference is that the latter is transactional, and the former is based on faith and truth.

How to Be a Covenantal Teacher

Creating the kinds of covenantal relationships in which students sit on the edges of their chairs, involved in the process of learning and discovering, starts with preparing—really preparing—to teach (see sidebar).

When was Harvard founded?

The history and tradition of this place can be overwhelming. But, eventually, this becomes your home Harvard’s the oldest college in America, founded in 1636.

Is Harvard a city?

Location. Harvard has the best of all worlds in my opinion of being in a city, being in a college town, and being its own college. Harvard is right outside of Boston, yet it has its own full out campus. And campus is pretty sweet.

Is Harvard a liberal arts college?

Harvard is a liberal arts college, so you won’t need to decide what you want to study for a little bit, and you’ll be exposed to a bunch of different fields of study. Choosing a concentration is tough, but there are so many good choices that you can't go wrong.

When was the Ben Shahar course?

Taught by Ben-Shahar between 2004 and 2008, the primary focus of this unique and innovative course is the question of how we can help ourselves and others to become happier.

Who is Ben Shahar?

Born in 1970, Ben-Shahar is a renowned teacher and writer in the areas of positive psychology and leadership. He completed his Ph.D. at Harvard University in Organisational Psychology, writing his dissertation on “ Restoring Self-Esteem’s Self-Esteem: The Constructs of Dependent and Independent Competence and Worth. ”.

How long is the 1504 course?

Positive Psychology 1504 consists of 22 lectures lasting around 75 minutes each, with a guest lecture on humor by Harvard graduate and professor Shawn Achor. The course’s focus is on the psychological aspects of life fulfillment and examines empathy, friendship, love, achievement, creativity, spirituality, happiness, and humor.

What is positive psychology 1504?

Often described as groundbreaking, Positive Psychology 1504 focused on the psychological aspect of a fulfilling and flourishing life: a concept that individuals appear to have an authentic connection with, regardless of gender and cultural differences.

Does Ben Shahar teach positive psychology?

While Ben-Shahar no longer teaches Positive Psychology 1504, the lectures for this course are available online so that people all over the world can learn about and develop an interest in positive psychology and its scientific branches. Transcripts of the first 12 lectures are also available.

What is Harvard's philosophy?

Harvard's liberal arts and sciences philosophy encourages you to ask difficult questions, explore unfamiliar terrain, and indulge your passion for discovery.

Does Harvard offer financial aid?

Our financial aid program makes Harvard affordable for every family throughout the world. Our aid packages require no loans, no contribution from families with incomes $65,000 or less. Families with incomes between $65,000 and $150,000 will contribute from 0-10% of their income, and those with incomes above $150,000 will be asked to pay proportionately more than 10%, based on their individual circumstances.

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Ability to Do Whatever

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The “ability to do whatever” doesn’t mean that you can like rob a bank. That’s highly illegal. But what that does mean is that because Harvard offers such a breadth of academic and extracurricular opportunities, you will be able to immerse yourself in whatever interests you. Also, if you were like me and are super undecided abou…
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Financial Aid

  • Harvard offers a very generous financial program, and the financial aid officers here will make sure that finances will not be the reason you would not choose Harvard College. A Harvard education can cost less than a piece of Bazooka bubble gum. Harvard, for most families, is cheaper than attending their state’s college or university. That’s huge. One, because that means …
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Resources

  • Harvard has a ridiculous amount of resources. To start with, the Harvard library system is the largest private library system in the world with 17 million volumes and 55 miles of shelving. But while you can’t possibly read all 17 million volumes in Harvard’s collection, you know that you’ll never need to go anywhere else to get the resources you need to be successful. Beyond libraries…
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Tradition

  • When you come onto campus, it can feel intimidating. It’s like going to Times Square for the first time. The history and tradition of this place can be overwhelming. But, eventually, this becomes your home Harvard’s the oldest college in America, founded in 1636. That’s, believe it or not, older than your grandpa, and if it’s not, your grandpa could be a wizard. Harvard has been around the b…
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Location

  • Harvard has the best of all worlds in my opinion of being in a city, being in a college town, and being its own college. Harvard is right outside of Boston, yet it has its own full out campus. And campus is pretty sweet. Boston and Cambridgeare both really young places (the average age in Boston drops 10 years every move-in day in the fall), and there’s a ton of stuff to do for college s…
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Housing

  • Housinghere is pretty sweet. 98% of students live on campus all four years, which is different than most schools. Everyone’s always around on campus, which makes it that there’s always something to do. Freshman year, you live on Harvard Yard, and then at the end of your freshman year, you and up to 7 of your friends get placed into one of 12 upperclassmen houses. Each of th…
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The People

  • This is super corny. But before, I thought that Harvard students were a bunch of nerds, and they are! I spent 30 minutes yesterday in a Wikihole reading about different castles. But at the same time, while Harvard students are similar in that they’re generally pretty driven, they’re incredibly diverse. So many people are doing so many different things, which is pretty cool, so you end up l…
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