Our friends at Pet Partners of Ohio will return with our favorite therapy dogs for a pre-finals study break! Join us for a stress-free hour at the study bar on the sixth floor of Fry Hall. There also will be candy, games, coloring and chill vibes.
Ending the semester and heading into the winter holidays can be a lot! Here are a few resources that include both tips and perspective on a time of year that can be both enjoyable and challenging. Remember, you are not alone. Reach out if you need help or if you need to talk – great places to begin could be a friend or family member or campus resource such as Jen Bennett or Shawn Levstek. Also, you can review the mental health and wellness resources section near the bottom of The Snellen Letter.
Research shows that taking purposeful breaks from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity and ability to focus! The Ohio State women’s basketball team is hosting an Ohio State Colleges “Study Break” at their game on Tuesday, December 5 vs. Ohio University. All students get in FREE by entering through the Schottenstein Center’s Southwest Nuthouse entrance. All you need to do is show your BuckID. Free snacks will be provided for all students who attend!
If you are planning to use federal loans for the May 2024 – May 2025 academic year, you must complete the FAFSA. A new simplified form will launch on December 31, and the priority deadline is February 15. This form will require you to give your consent to have your tax information imported directly from the IRS. You must give this consent to apply for federal aid. There are no alternatives. If you are married, you must also request your spouse to give this consent. Also, you will no longer be able to include your parent information on the FAFSA. Stay tuned for more information on how to apply for the need-based Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL).
ScholarshipUniverse is a tool the university provides to help you find external scholarships. All you need to do is create or update your personal profile, and you will be notified of scholarships for which you may be eligible. It is a good idea to update this every year.
Reminder: Flu shots are due December 1 for all students. Please upload proof of vaccine to BuckMD and use Health Professional Student – Compliance Document as the document type, or e-mail to preventivemedicine@osu.edu.
Jen Bennett, Director of Student Services, 614-292-2973, bennett.1075@osu.edu
Heidi Bosworth, Special Event Coordinator, 614-247-1636 , bosworth.31@osu.edu
Candace Johnson, Assistant Director of Admissions, 614-292-4247, johnson.5380@osu.edu
Kiara Occulis, Admissions Counselor, 614-292-1190, occulis.1@osu.edu
Becca Roby, Assistant Director of Student Services, 614-292-0497, roby.77@osu.edu
Dr. Shawn Levstek continues to be available to students via teletherapy on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and also will be available for in-person sessions on Mondays in Fry Hall 539, if desired. All students with questions or concerns can contact Dr. Levstek directly via e-mail at levstek.4@osu.edu. In addition, all Counseling and Consultation Service resources remain available, and that office can be reached at 614-292-5766 for crisis or urgent support, 24/7. Dr. Shawn Levstek continues to be available to students via teletherapy on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and also will be available for in-person sessions on Mondays in Fry Hall 539, if desired. All students with questions or concerns can contact Dr. Levstek directly via email at . In addition, all Counseling and Consultation Service counseling resources remain available, and that office can be reached at for crisis or urgent support, 24/7.
Take a look at this comprehensive list of mental health and wellness resources for most any interest, need, or concern at https://ccs.osu.edu/services/mental-health-resources. Some resources are even available 24/7! If you have questions about how to use or access these resources, feel free to reach out to Jen Bennett.
For the safety of others, if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, please take a COVID-19 test. It’s helpful to have tests on hand in case you need one. If you test positive, please quarantine for five days from day your symptoms started. You may return to in-person activities on day six if you are fever-free without medication for 24 hours and your symptoms are resolved or substantially better. You should wear a mask for five days once you return. If your quarantine period requires you to miss mandatory class/lab activities or midterms/practicals, please contact your faculty. If you will miss clinic time, please follow notification procedures for being out of clinic.