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Spring break is over and now the race to finals week has begun. With only 5 weeks left in the semester, many of you are probably feeling the pressure of the numerous impending deadlines.

Practicing self-care in the next few weeks is more important than ever. Taking time to eat balanced meals, engage in physical activity, and getting plenty of sleep should be at the top of your to-do list along with all of the other tasks.

But how can you make time to take care of yourself when you don’t even feel like you have enough time for all the other tasks on the to-do list?? Read on for 3 time management techniques to get you through the end of the semester.

1. Prioritize Tasks – make a list of everything that you have coming up in the next few weeks and label them as urgent, important, or not important. This includes anything related to academics, work, family, and friend time.
   • Urgent – these are tasks that need to get done right away, anything with a deadline.
   • Important – tasks that are important and meaningful to you but do not necessarily have a deadline.
   • Not important – tasks that don’t really need to get done and that are not important to you.

This visual of tasks can be helpful in seeing where all of your time is spent. Do you have a lot of not important tasks in your schedule? If so, it might be time to rethink how you accept commitments. Turning down not important tasks can help to free up time for more important items. Especially as you prepare for the end of the semester.

2. Control Procrastination – the most stressful or unpleasant tasks are the ones that you are most likely to put off and this will only increase as deadlines approach. Try the following techniques to combat procrastination:
   • Structure time – using the prioritized task list you just created, schedule out structured working time using a format that works best for you: day planner, outlook calendar, desk calendar, etc. Find the best fit and stick to it.
   • Break up larger tasks – learn your working style and plan accordingly. IF you know that you will not be able to sit and work for 3 hours straight on a paper break it up into shorter 1-hour blocks throughout the day to help break up the unpleasant task.
   • Create short-term deadlines – We have 5 weeks left in the semester, now is the time to build in shorter deadlines to break up the larger tasks. If you have a 20 page paper due during finals week, break up that task into writing at least 5 pages per week until the end of the semester. This will give you plenty of time to do your best, without rushing to get it done at the end.
   • Avoid perfectionism – Use these strategies to give yourself enough time to do your best.

3. Manage Commitments – be reasonable and realistic with the time you have and manage your commitments by saying yes when it is important and saying no when you need to.

Being realistic with your time as we near the end of the semester can help to alleviate some of the pressure and stress. Managing your time appropriately can help to provide you with some much needed free time for self-care while also giving yourself enough time to do well in your academics.

For additional support, check out the Student Life Student Wellness Center’s Wellness Coaching program and the Dennis Learning Center’s Academic Coaching program.

-Jordan Helcbergier, Wellness Coordinator

Destigmatizing Mental Health Through Tragic Events 

Local, regional, national, and global critical incidents are too common. While seeking to understand these tragedies there is a psychological impact. Traumatic events leave individuals with varied emotional experiences. These can range from shock and disbelief to other painful emotions such as anger and sorrow. You may also notice that your daily routine may be affected as you notice changes in sleeping, appetite and concentration. Additionally, exposure to such events either in person or in media may effect your perceptions about the world. Reactions vary, and so do student needs. There are resources that can be accessed to support individuals and groups. We’ve got your back at Ohio State. 

Coping In A Crisis : Counseling and Consultation Service (osu.edu)  

Promoting CCS Services   

CCS can help you sort through options and identify a counselor that matches your needs and preferences. For personalized assistance linking with a therapist, you can schedule a phone screening with CCS at Schedule a Phone Screening : Counseling and Consultation Service (osu.edu) or use our self-guided directory at Community Provider Database : Counseling and Consultation Service (osu.edu) 

Resource Sharing  

Spring Break can be a great time to relax, travel, and visit with friends. For many students, it’s also time to party, and it can be easy to overindulge.  Find 10 tips from student wellness to Party Smart!  

https://swc.osu.edu/wellness-education-and-resources/alcohol-and-other-drug-prevention/party-smart 

Dating, hanging out or hooking up over spring break? Student Wellness Center is also a great resource for taking care of your sexual health! https://swc.osu.edu/wellness-education-and-resources/sexual-health 

Humanizing CCS   

SWT? LSW? LISW-S? What do all those letters behind a therapist ‘s name mean? There are many training programs for therapy providers, and the letters signify which type of training a therapist has and which license they hold in their field.  “SW” stands for social worker and signifies training through a lens of social justice and advocacy. In honor of Social Work Month, we shine a spotlight on CCS social workers!  

You can learn more about our staff social workers’ personal and professional interests at Our Staff : Counseling and Consultation Service (osu.edu) 

Social Work Staff Highlight  

Collin Pfaff, B.S., SWT  (Social Work Intern)  

Professional Interests: 

• Mind-Body-Spirit Integration: Strengths-Based Approach Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Logotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Poetry, Yoga, Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta Meditation) 

• Community Building and Social Justice: Family Systems, Humane Technology, Equitable Work Environments, Leadership Development, Ethical Consumerism 

Personal Interests: 

One of my closest friends once told me, “Always wear clothes that you can dance in.” I try living my life that way, where each moment is an opportunity to be joyful. It doesn’t always look like much (you still have to go to work and do the dishes) and there’s plenty of silence. It is a great adventure. 

Identity Specific Posts

Did you know March is Women’s History Month? Honoring our history allows us to be catalysts and advocates of social change. Find ways to celebrate, reflect, and work towards equity with The Center for Belonging and Social Change.  

https://cbsc.osu.edu/events-and-programs/heritage-and-awareness-months/womens-history-month/ 

March 8th is International Women’s Day!  Since 1911, IWD has highlighted and addressed gender inequity and has served as a tool to advocate for gender equity. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity and this year’s mission’s include Women in Tech, Women at Work, and Women’s Health.  

Learn more and get involved with 2023 International Women’s Day Mission’s here:  

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/ 

 

-Claire Simon, LISW-S, Embedded Clinical Therapist, College of Nursing

Interviews are high-stress environments for many students. When we are interviewing for a full-time job, it is usually towards the end of our academic career that may cause stress or anxiety about what is next for life outside of campus. However, it is important to take a few deep breaths and take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments. Also to be kind to ourselves during this process by embracing positive self-talk.

Here are some tips to do before an interview and to develop your professional development skills.

1. Clarify your goal. Why are you seeking out this internship or job?
2. Determine which organizations you are interested in and research more about them. Look into their company’s mission. Does their mission align with your career purpose?
3. If the interview is in-person, have enough copies of your resume, ideally two per organization.
4. Prepare a “tell me about yourself” pitch and have generic questions that can be asked to all employees. Such as, “What is the most challenging part of working for your organization? What are the learning and growth opportunities available for early professionals such as me in your organization/this role?”
5. Update your professional social media profiles, such as Handshake and LinkedIn. This will allow employers to see the most up-to-date information about you, and it is a great way to connect with employers after the interview.
6. Ensure that you are dressed professionally. Professional dress is usually a suit, blazer with slacks, or blazer and appropriate length skirt. Professional dress can be pricey, check out the Buckeye Career Closet to find free, gently used, professional clothing, shoes, and accessories.

During the Interview:

1. Take employer business cards and on the back of the card jot down something that you connected with them on. This will help make your follow-up for a thank you more personal.
2. Bring a notebook to take notes on the available positions and answers to questions.

Resources:

Buckeye Career Closet: https://careers.osu.edu/events-and-programs/career-closet

Career Fairs and Preparations: https://careers.osu.edu/events-and-programs/career-fairs-and-preparation

Shruti Asodaria, Graduate Student Assistant

Your two days off are wrapping up and it’s almost time to start another week: it’s Sunday. It’s very common among students to feel anxious or stressed about going back to school or work and sad that your weekend of fun and relaxation is coming to an end. Sunday’s can often make us feel like we are running short on time or like we just don’t have the motivation to start another week. Here are a couple of ways you can overcome those Sunday Scaries and get yourself prepared, motivated, and ready for the week ahead.

• Prep everything on Sunday

Monday morning is already tough enough, so make it easier on yourself by prepping everything you’ll need the night before. You will thank yourself in the morning when you don’t have to worry about:

• Laying out an outfit
• Packing a lunch
• Packing your backpack
• Finding anything else you’ll need for the day, like an umbrella or your gym bag Doing these things the night before will help put your mind at ease about Monday morning, and also promote time management skills and help you feel motivated and ready for the day.
• Stay organized

Whether it’s your phone reminders, a written planner, or a whiteboard calendar in the kitchen, staying organized is a great way to combat the Sunday Scaries. Writing out your assignments, appointments, meetings, classes, and anything else you have planned can help ease the stress of feeling unprepared or unorganized. Writing out a daily planner with goals and items you want to accomplish will help make sure you stay on track and relieve any related anxieties!

• Wear something you love

We all get that “Monday feeling”, so do whatever you can to make yourself comfortable and motivated for the dreaded first day of the week. Wearing something comfortable and something you love will make you feel good and won’t contribute any additional feelings of stress or discomfort as you head into your first week back. Whether it’s a comfy sweater, a favorite pair of shoes, or even some extra accessories, looking good makes you feel good! And comfortable clothes will give you that serotonin boost you need to thrive during the day.

• Positive self-talk and self-care

Being kind to yourself is the most important thing when it comes to dealing with the Sunday Scaries. It’s always important to listen to your body and be mindful of what you need. Everyone self cares differently, so don’t be afraid to do whatever it is you need to do to get through the day. Letting yourself take time off, relax, and mentally and physically prepare for the week ahead is crucial for success. Be kind to yourself when you need a break and give yourself credit for all the hard things you’ve done so far! You got this!

References:

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/g32267191/mindfulness-activities/

https://www.healthline.com/health/positive-self-talk#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health

https://www.rochester.edu/emerging-leaders/11-tips-for-organization-and-productivity/

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sunday-scaries/

https://ccs.osu.edu/services/mental-health-support

Alison Reynolds, Graduate Student Assistant

Being Kind has many benefits to your overall health and well-being. Did you know, kindness increases: energy, happiness, lifespan, pleasure and serotonin and decreases: pain, anxiety, stress, depression and blood pressure.  

We could all benefit from a little extra kindness right now. Take 5 minutes and send a message of gratitude to a friend, call a loved one, or engage in an activity that gives you to joy to be kind to yourself.  

Is expressing your creative side something you enjoy? Help spread kindness at Ohio State by submitting artwork that could be featured in outdoor spaces around campus.  

The Office of Student Life and Kind Columbus are hosting a contest for Ohio State students, faculty, staff, alumni and Columbus community members to submit artwork that could be featured in outdoor spaces around campus. These Instagrammable Walls will help promote kindness, positivity and mental health support on campus and in the Columbus community. In addition to seeing their artwork displayed around campus, winners of the #BeKind Instagram Wall Contest will also receive $500 to donate to a non-profit organization from the Columbus Foundation’s Giving Store of their choice. 

The #BeKind Instagram Wall Contest is open throughout February 2021. To lean more and submit artwork please visit the Kindness Website.  

 

Welcome to the Be Well Blog – a holistic wellness blog geared for college students brought to you by the Student Life Student Wellness Center. The Be Well blog will provide education on a variety of wellness topics through written post, videos, and pictures. We will also share events, opportunities, and provide a different view of the Student Wellness Center. Subscribe and share with your fellow Buckeyes! We hope this blog will help you on your journey to Be Well and Thrive!