Psychology and the Good Life Big Insights

• We can control a lot more of our happiness than we think
• Materialistic things do not matter as much as we think they do
• Bad things will happen in life and removing them will not ensure happiness as research shows that people who have experienced tragedies in their life are happy as they have found a meaning for life
• Knowing is half the battle so we must put in the work to be able to actually experience that happiness
• We always want moe than what we have but we have to train ourselves to be content
• Helping others will help us become happier as we feel like we are living for someone other than oursleves
• Prioritize social connection does not have to be deep or long it can be with anyone
• Make time for gratitude like make a list of things we are grateful for
• Healthy practices matter we should be getting enough sleep and exercise can help us feel more awake and connected in what we are learning
• Be present in the moment as mind-wandering can lead to a decrease in mood despite the topic. Notice what you feel like when you are doing something like eating ice cream.
• Become wealthy in terms of time. People who are really happy are willing to spend money for time affluence.

Goals

• Sleep earlier (at least before test days)
• Try to understand all the topics given
• Try to learn real life skills from this class not just doing what is given for points
• Try to be productive in class and not do everything on the weekend
• Work on time management
• Exercise at least 3 times a week

Goals in Conjunction with Happy People

• Prioritize social connections / be willing to ask for help
• Help others as it will help us become happier
• Put in the work because knowing can only get you there halfway
• Do not prioritize material things instead work for knowledge
• Be careful about time management

Gratitude List

• My health
• My family
• My dog
• My friends
• My knowledge

Gratitude Note

I am grateful for my AP Calc teacher from last year Mrs. Nydam, as she always pushed me to try my hardest and focus on what was important: the understanding of the answer not just the answer. I am glad that she was my teacher for two trimesters, and without her I feel like would not be prepared for the AP test, as well as the enviornments of all my classes like this one.

I am grateful for my dad because he has helped me various times even when he did not know how to do them. He always makes sure that I am happy and will always be there regardless. I remember when he stayed up till 2 am with me last year when I had to figure out how to deploy with raspberry pi and he did not have to do that, but he did.