THRIVE Early Arrival Program
Are You Ready to THRIVE?
![THRIVE Logo](/sites/mergersjuedu/files/styles/wide_1024x/public/2024-08/THRIVE%20%284%29.png?itok=-lFg-67A)
THRIVE is a three day Early Arrival Program for first-year students that takes place the week before Fall semester classes begin. The THRIVE program focuses on health and well-being and includes workshops, events and activities focused on the nine dimensions of well-being (physical, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social, cultural, environmental, spiritual, and financial). Students will also participate in a variety of social events and excursions into the city. Through the leadership of SJU's Health & Well-being team and our upperclassmen THRIVE peer mentors, participants will get a head start on creating a healthy college lifestyle!
There is a $170 fee for all participants which covers the cost of food, transportation and activities for the duration of the program.
For more information, please email THRIVE@sju.edu.
Register for THRIVE 2024!
**6/27/24 Update: THRIVE Registration is now closed, as we have reached our capacity for the 2024 program. Please contact our team at THRIVE@sju.edu with any questions.**
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "THRIVE?"
What does it really mean to "Thrive?" In short it means that we are feeling good and functioning well. Thriving involves connections and positive emotions. Thriving also includes developing positive meaning that helps us to live in a purposeful, energized, engaged, and resilient way. Our THRIVE early arrival program provides first year students the tools and connections they need to start a successful college journey!
![escape room at the museum](/sites/mergersjuedu/files/styles/16_9_320x180/public/2024-02/IMG_9426.jpg?h=52d3fcb6&itok=3n7GpicB)
![DOWB](/sites/mergersjuedu/files/styles/16_9_320x180/public/2024-05/DOWB_0.png?h=1a307a1a&itok=KkfvpQTX)
THRIVE Schedule 2024
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THRIVE Schedule:
DAY 1: Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Dimension Focus: social and emotional well-being
TIME
EVENT
LOCATION
Facilitator
10AM-12PM
Move-in to residence halls (Families and Students)
Residence Halls
2:30PM-3PM
THRIVE check-in/registration (Families and Students)
Campion Hall, 2nd Floor
3:15PM-3:45PM
Welcome to THRIVE (Families and Students)
President’s Lounge, 2nd Floor, Campion Hall
Marci Berney, Jasmine Owens, Kiersten White, THRIVE Mentors
4:00PM-4:30PM
Family blessing (Families and Students) - families depart campus following the blessing
Chapel of St. Joseph
4:45PM-5:45PM
Small group introductions and IceBreakers
President’s Lounge, Campion Hall
THRIVE Mentors
6PM-7PM
Dinner with the THRIVE mentors
Campion Dining Hall
7PM 8PM
Team Building Experience and Discussion
President’s Lounge, Campion Hall
Marci Berney, THRIVE Mentors
8:15PM
Mister Softee ice cream social (for all early arrival programs
Outside of Merion Hall
9:30PM
Residence Hall Meetings with RAs
Residence Halls
Your Resident Assistants
DAY 2: Thursday, August 22, 2024
Dimension Focus: physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational and environmental well-being
(participants should wear comfortable/athletic clothing for active events this day)
TIME
EVENT
LOCATION
Facilitator
8:00AM-8:45AM
Breakfast (Campion Dining Hall)
Campion Dining Hall)
8:45AM
Meet Mentors to walk to Barnes Arboretum
Hallway outside of dining hall, Campion
THRIVE Mentors
8:45AM-9:15AM
Barnes Arboretum - Self guided mindful meditation walk
Barnes Arboretum
THRIVE Mentors
9:15AM-10:45AM
Yoga, Mindfulness & Journaling
Maguire Art Museum
Emily Forte, Yoga Six
11:00AM-12:00PM
Sleep & Self-Care w/ Dr. Brad
Campion Hall, North Lounge
Dr. Brad Wolgast, helpmesleep.org
12:00PM
Lunch
Campion Dining Hall
1:00PM-2:30PM
Exploring our Occupational Well-being with the Career Center (students should bring a laptop to this session)
Campion Hall, North Lounge
Kailey Ryan, Career Counselor, SJU Career Center
2:30PM - 3:00PM
Fueling your Mind & Body - Aramark Nutritionist (afternoon snack: make your own smoothie)
North Lounge, Campion Hall
Sarah Fine, MS, RDN, LDN, CSG, Dietitian and Nutritionist, SJU Dining
3:00PM-4:00PM
Resilience & Self Care (with the Running Start Program)
Doyle Banquet Hall South, Campion Hall
Jasmine Owens, Assistant Director, Student Support
4:00PM-5:00PM
Introduction to Campus Ministry & Practicing The Examen
Campion Hall, North Lounge
Tinamarie Stolz, Assistant Director, Campus Ministry
5:00PM
Break
6:00PM
Dinner
Campion Dining Hall
7:45PM
Meet at Bus for SkyZone (for those who registered for SkyZone)
Cardinal Ave (behind Sourin Hall) 8PM
Sky Zone or Painting
Sky Zone, Philadelphia or
Doyle Banquet Hall (painting)
DAY 3: Friday, August 23, 2024
Dimension Focus: cultural, intellectual, and emotional well-being
(Participants should wear the THRIVE Program T-shirt today)
TIME
EVENT
LOCATION
Facilitator
8:00AM
Breakfast
Campion Dining Hall)
8:45AM
Meet at Bus for Mural Arts Tour
Outside of Mandeville Hall
9:30AM-11AM
Philadelphia Mural Arts Tour (Philadelphia Center City East Tour, Independence Visitor Center)
Philadelphia
Mural Arts Philadelphia
11:00AM
Bus back to Hawk Hill
11:45AM-12:45PM
Lunch
Campion Dining Hall
1:00PM-2:00PM
Get Active with Campus Recreation
North Lounge (followed by lawn game tournament Outside)
Daniel Yen, Campus Recreation Specialist, Department of Athletics
2:00PM-2:40PM
THRIVE Mentor Panel - getting involved and making the most of your first year at SJU!
North Lounge, Campion Hall
THRIVE Mentors
2:45PM-3:30PM
Goal Setting & Managing Transitions (Counseling & Psychological Services - CAPS)
North Lounge, Campion Hall
Aimee Della Porta, LCSW and Thom Nailor, LCSW - Office of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
3:30PM-4:00PM
Closing Activity
North Lounge, Campion Hall
Marci Berney, Student Support & Well-being and THRIVE Mentors
THRIVE Peer Mentors
What is a THRIVE Mentor?
THRIVE Mentors are a group of upperclassmen students who provide leadership, guidance and support to incoming first-year students participating in the THRIVE Early Arrival Program. During the three day THRIVE EAP, peer mentors work as a team alongside SJU Health & Well-being staff to provide a vibrant, fun and engaging experience for THRIVE participants! The Thrive Hive peer mentors are committed to helping new Hawks explore health and well-being topics through the nine dimensions of well-being, providing a solid foundation for a first year experience where each student can Thrive!
Meet the 2024 THRIVE Mentors!
![Veronia](/sites/mergersjuedu/files/styles/wide_300x/public/2024-05/Veronia%20Rateb.png?itok=qu_wqX9V)
Veronia Rateb
Major: Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Class Year: P1
Hometown: Reading, PA
What advice to you have for new Hawks?
Stay true to yourself and enjoy it while it lasts. Seriously, I know it's cheesy but you will look back on your time here and miss it. Getting involved will really help you connect and transition during this time of change. It also will help you make new friends and new memories. Enjoy the ride!
What is a fun fact about you?
I am bilingual, I am fluent in Arabic and English!
Keely Gallagher
![Keely](/sites/mergersjuedu/files/styles/wide_300x/public/2024-05/keeley.png?itok=Nvzvr69h)
Class Year: Senior
Major: Communications
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
What advice to you have for new Hawks?
My best advice is to take time for yourself! The excitement, stress, and overall change of college can be overwhelming. Make time in your schedule to take care of yourself! Go on a walk, paint, call your parents (they appreciate it SO much, believe me!), do whatever makes you happy. You can't excel in all aspects of college without prioritizing yourself and your needs.
What is a fun fact about you?
I've met the Jonas Brothers when I was 5 in Disney World!
![Ryan](/sites/mergersjuedu/files/styles/wide_300x/public/2024-05/Ryan%20Manz_0.png?itok=8Ln8f0_Y)
Ryan Manz
Class Year: Sophomore
Major: Business Intelligence & Analytics
Hometown: Rockaway, NJ
What advice to you have for new Hawks?
1. Take your first few days slow, it may seem to be a lot when you first get here, but I promise it will get better.
2. Put yourself out there, I wasn't the most outgoing guy out there, but relationships / friendships are huge.
3. Focus on time management, I can not stress enough how important having a planner was for me, I was able to write down everything I had to do and it kept me organized and on track.
What is a fun fact about you?
I play on the Club Soccer and Hockey teams here at SJU.
![Morgan](/sites/mergersjuedu/files/styles/wide_300x/public/2024-05/Morgam%20Kaylor.jpeg?itok=7tJyk3On)
Morgan Kaylor
Class Year: Sophomore
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: York, PA
What advice to you have for new Hawks?
Be true to yourself! This is a fresh, new beginning for you, and being true to yourself is the first step to thriving in college. You will find your people, your place, and most importantly who and what you want to be, just give yourself time and have an open mind! Everything will fall into place!
What is a fun fact about you?
I have done various styles of dance since I was three years old! I have done shows and even competed at Nationals and Worlds!
![Jaqueline](/sites/mergersjuedu/files/styles/wide_300x/public/2024-05/Jaqueline_0.jpg?itok=07ib7a-i)
Jacqueline McCoy
Class Year: Sophomore
Major: English - Secondary Education
Hometown: Harleysville, PA
What advice to you have for new Hawks?
Some advice I suggest is learning how to communicate effectively. Whether that's with friends, roommates, or professors, you will be put into many rhetorical situations that call for personal judgment and opinion. It can be hard when you do not know how to communicate respectfully and in a way where you will be able to share how you feel. You can learn how to communicate by being aware of your communication style, as well as the styles of others. Being mindful of others' strengths and weaknesses is crucial for these conversations.
What is a fun fact about you?
I won a school spelling bee in 8th grade!
Jamie Valentin
Class Year: Junior
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Woodbury Heights, NJ