Brock Peer Health Educators fifth-year Neuroscience student Harshit Thakare (left) and fourth-year Medical Sciences student Will Shickluna are among those providing counselling during drop-in hours in the Student Health and Wellness HUB. Student drop-ins and peer counselling are among the workshops and activities being offered during exams. From group study sessions to creative activities, Brock is offering a range of student wellness supports and resources throughout exam season.
“In my mind, Brock excels at offering a culture of support,” says Julie Fennell, Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC) Health Promotion Educator. “We never assume everyone needs the same thing. When a student comes to us, we strive to find out what they need.”
Students can look forward to the return of popular wellness activities such as making their own snow globes, viewing holiday movies or meeting certified therapy dogs. There are also a variety of new wellness initiatives available.
“New this exam season, we are offering students the chance to incorporate mindfulness into their study routines,” says Brock Library Teaching and Learning Librarian Justine Cotton, who will be guiding lunchtime yoga sessions and co-hosting a Sip and Scent: Mindful Studying with Coffee and Essential Oils session for students on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m.
“From exploring the effect of coffee and essential oils on mood and focus to learning the basics of meditation and yoga, we are hoping to make wellness accessible and easy to incorporate into a student’s busy life,” she says.
In the coming weeks, the library will be adding a yoga kit with a mat, guided yoga flows and a book with self-care ideas to its collection of games and stressbusters for loan, as well as an “Unstudy Spot” to destress and “Mindful Moments” workshops, which teach the basics of being in tune with thoughts and feelings while being in the present moment.
For information on events focused on student wellness and academic support including study groups, workshops, drop-in sessions, craft making and more, visit the following ExperienceBU sites:
- Black Student Success Centre
- Brock University Students’ Union
- Brock University Library
- Faith and Life Centre
- Graduate Students’ Association
- Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre
- Learning Services
- Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre
- Student Life and Success
Students are encouraged to review event postings carefully as some opportunities require pre-registration due to limited space or supplies.
The SWAC team also reminds the Brock community that knowing how to recognize when someone might need support is important all year round. Fennell encourages students to visit Reach Out, an online resource designed to help individuals identify these signs and discover services and supports.
For students interested in gaining suicide intervention skills or knowledge on how to respond to those struggling with their mental health, SWAC is offering a two-day face-to-face workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 6 featuring audio and visuals, discussions and simulations. Participants are expected to commit to both days.
Students in distress may call or chat with a counsellor 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year by downloading the Telus Health Student Support app, which offers text and chat support and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Search Brock University Student Counselling Program when creating your profile to access Brock’s branded Telus Health Student Support app.
Visit the SWAC website for crisis resources anytime.
For a full list of activities offered until the examination period ends, visit ExperienceBU.
