On Purpose with Jay Shetty Laurie Santos: ON Teaching The Most Popular Class at Yale University
Oct 7, 2019
Laurie Santos, a prominent psychology professor at Yale University, is renowned for her course 'Psychology and the Good Life.' In a thought-provoking discussion, she unpacks how our minds deceive us about happiness and success, emphasizing that true joy comes from meaningful social connections rather than external accolades. Santos also contrasts today's college pressures with past experiences and shares insights on the importance of gratitude, vulnerability, and engaging with others to enhance emotional well-being.
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Miserable Yale Students
- Laurie Santos observed miserable students at Yale, struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.
- They constantly looked forward to the end of the week or semester, missing out on their present college experience.
Unexpected Class Popularity
- Santos's "Psychology and the Good Life" class became unexpectedly popular, with 1,200 students (one-fourth of Yale) enrolling.
- The class combined scientific insights with practical exercises like meditation, exercise, and improved sleep.
Misguided Minds
- Our minds often mislead us about what brings happiness, causing us to chase things like salary or grades that don't truly fulfill us.
- Higher grades correlate with lower well-being, possibly due to opportunity costs like less time for social connections.
