Success Hour Events Foster Students’ Confidence

As appeared in The Crown on Feb 25, 2025

By: Anneliese Flynn Little

In daylights? In sunsets? In midnights or in cups of coffee? How do we measure success? Every Thursday at 3:30 p.m., the Office of Academic Skills brings students together to be successful outside of the typical classroom setting. During Success Hour, students aren’t measured by grades or quotas—only by their desire to learn. 

Success Hour is held during King’s “Common Hour,” a period in the day when there are few to no classes, so that community events can be held. The King’s Success Hour focuses on teaching a variety of skills to broaden students’ abilities academically, socially, professionally and even practically. 

Each Success Hour features a different host speaker translating their experiences and knowledge into skill building. Often, professors and other faculty members will lead workshops based on their individual expertise.  

Director Jasmine Giddings of the Multicultural and International Student Programs is scheduled to run a multicultural discussion. Dr. James Ambury, the director of the Honors Program and a philosophy professor, is scheduled to run a discussion with honors students on the place of ancient philosophy in modern democracy.  

Dawn Shedlarski in Academic Skills will be running a workshop on soft skills, which she says are relevant life skills, but things students might not consider. Soft skills encompass a spectrum of capabilities like time management, critical thinking, communication, creativity, leadership and adaptability. Not only are these skills important for students to apply in their professional and personal lives, but these skills also prove to be great resume builders. 

However, many of the workshops go beyond field expertise, and may fall in necessary life skills or simple professional skills. Shedlarski herself has led workshops on skills ranging from meditation to creating email filters. Business professors have taught students to tie ties; dressing professionally being an incredibly relevant skill that isn’t frequently taught in the academic curriculum.  

In March, the English and Theatre Department Chairs are coming together to teach students to change a tire and jump-start a car battery. This workshop targets our large commuter population, but many residential students also have their cars on campus and are less familiar with the local area than commuters would be.  

This variety allows for room to expand. Shedlarski thinks more workshops focusing on simple life skills could help reach an even wider population of students. Beyond specific skills, the Office of Academic Skills intends to “foster resilience.” Michael Little, chair of the English department, will be leading the upcoming car workshop. Little believes in developing a wide range of skills, which he thinks helps people build confidence.  

“Learning to change a tire is empowering,” Little said. “The more you realize you can take care of yourself, the more confident you feel.”

Little says that it’s important for students to see that they’re not the only people who don’t know how to do something,” and Shedlarski agrees. It can be hard for students to step out of their comfort zone and look for help, but Shedlarski says that the students who can take that step always enjoy engaging in the activities. It’s a low-risk learning environment, but the skills are high-reward. 

On April 3, at 4:00 p.m. the success hour will be led by guest speaker and Duke University theology and ecology professor, Norman Wirzba. Wirzba has written multiple books, including “Way of Love, Food and Faith,” “Living the Sabbath,” “The Paradise of God “and “From Nature to Creation.” Wirzba is the director of research for climate and sustainability at Duke University. Wirzba’s speech will cover the differences between hope and optimism and why we need both in a world that has to deal with the problems that climate change brings.  

Also coming up this semester on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. are a handful of skill workshops, including one on completing the FAFSA and one on pursuing law school. To enhance your soft skills, improve financial literacy or simply learn something new, look out for the Success Hour emails to see the upcoming workshops schedule.