What's so positive about positive psychology in an enabling program?

Enabling courses focus on developing study skills and applicable knowledge to assist students with their transition to university. Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) offers a unique unit of study which introduces students to Positive Psychology as a means of developing the resilience required on the student learning journey. This 12-week unit, Positive Learning for University (PLU), takes students on a personal and academic journey where they learn about the theories that underpin Positive Psychology and strategies to apply the associated concepts to their role as students. In doing this, it is hoped that students will attain valuable transferable skills and that they will experience significant improvement in their mental health, well-being and self-efficacy. PLU was introduced to the STEPS curriculum in 2012 when the course underwent a substantial remodel based on an institutional review. It is one of twelve units that students can elect as part of their STEPS study plan. Since its inception, PLU has been continually modified to maintain currency and to align with the latest research within the field of Positive Psychology. This paper outlines the evolving nature of the unit and considers how student evaluations, lecturers’ reflections, available resources and funding have shaped the currently offered unit.