Real-Life Challenge Project: Navigating a Complex Situation

Overview

In this project, your group will tackle a realistic scenario that requires integrating all the life skills we've learned: emotional regulation (Pause), decision-sizing (Size, Steps, Ripples), and boundary-setting. Your goal is to work collaboratively to analyze the situation, make thoughtful decisions, and propose a comprehensive action plan.

The Scenario

The College Dorm Dilemma

You are a first-year college student, living in a dorm with two roommates, Alex and Sam. Initially, things were great. However, as the semester progresses, tensions are rising.

Alex is very studious and organized. They get easily stressed by noise and clutter. Lately, Alex has been increasingly irritable, snapping at you and Sam over small things, like your laundry pile or late-night study sessions with friends in the common room (even though you try to keep quiet).

Sam is very social and loves to have friends over. They often host impromptu gatherings in the dorm room, sometimes extending late into the night. Sam also tends to leave their belongings scattered, making the small space feel even more cramped.

You, on the other hand, are trying to balance your academics, a part-time job, and maintaining a social life. You feel caught in the middle. You're starting to fall behind in your studies because of the constant disruptions, and you feel anxious about being in your own room. You've tried to hint at your discomfort, but nothing has changed. Last night, Alex stormed out after Sam had friends over until 2 AM, leaving you alone to deal with the awkward silence this morning.

Your final exams are approaching, and you desperately need a calm environment to study.

Your Task

As a group, discuss and outline how you would navigate this situation using your full toolkit of skills. Consider the following:

1. Emotional Regulation (Pause)

• Before doing anything, how would you PAUSE and regulate your own emotions (frustration, anxiety, anger, fear of confrontation)?
• What specific strategies would you use to calm yourself and think clearly?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

2. Decision-Sizing (Size, Steps, Ripples)

• Size: How big is this problem? What are the immediate and long-term impacts if you don't address it?
  
  
  
  
• Steps: What are the possible actions you could take? Brainstorm at least 3 distinct approaches (e.g., talk to Alex, talk to Sam, talk to both, seek RA intervention, ignore it).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Ripples: For each of your proposed steps, what are the potential positive and negative consequences for you, Alex, Sam, and your living situation?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

3. Boundary-Setting

• Based on your decision-sizing, what clear boundaries do you need to establish for yourself and with your roommates?
• How would you communicate these boundaries effectively and respectfully to Alex and Sam?
• What specific requests or expectations would you make?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Integrated Action Plan

• Considering all skills, what is your group's final recommended action plan for the student in the scenario?
• Outline the steps in chronological order.
• Explain why this is the most effective approach.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Presentation (Optional)

Be prepared to briefly share your group's analysis and action plan with the class, highlighting how you used each skill to arrive at your solution.

My Skill Commitment Card

Name: ____________________________

Choose Your Challenge!

Think about the skills we discussed today: Emotional Regulation (Pause), Decision-Sizing (Size, Steps, Ripples), and Boundary-Setting.

Which ONE skill do you want to intentionally practice in your life this upcoming week?

I commit to practicing: ____________________________________________________________________

My Plan

In what specific situation or context will you try to apply this skill?

What might that look like? Be specific!

Why is this important to me?

How will practicing this skill benefit you or those around you?

Date of Commitment: ____________________