The sight of green trees and flowers is a sign that the end of the semester is drawing near. With only a few more weeks ahead, you likely have a lot on your mind and are starting to make your summer plans. It's good to start preparing now to avoid last-minute stress.
Are you interested in completing an internship for your degree? Finding summer employment? Taking classes to get ahead? Enjoying springtime with friends and family? Or maybe a mix of everything?
Whatever you feel is best for you, creating a plan to help envision your goals is vital.
We know these decisions can be overwhelming and feel heavy. You may be anxious about some potentially tough conversations with family, friends or loved ones. We have identified some tips and techniques for you to consider.
SETTING BOUNDARIES WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES
Getting support from loved ones when you make goals and plans for the future is fantastic — however, the reality is that not everyone will be happy with the choices you make. It's important to make compromises when needed, but don't lose yourself in the process of making other people happy. Here are some ways to approach difficult conversations with the people in your life and how to stand firm when you need to.
- First, notice unhealthy aspects of a relationship and ensure you have defined your values and needs. Consider making a values inventory to strongly identify where you stand.
- Try to maintain composure and keep cool when talking. Arguing will not be helpful and can lead to feeling worse.
- Be clear with them about what will happen if they do not honor the boundary.
- Use assertive communication while also practicing compassion. You want to maintain eye contact, actively listen, monitor your tone and understand where the other person is coming from.
- Release any guilt around setting boundaries. Practice affirmations such as "I deserve to express myself" and "I am allowed to have my needs met."
While setting boundaries can be scary, it can have a lot of benefits, including preventing resentment, creating healthier relationships, supporting autonomy and independence and letting you live authentically.
CHILLFEST
Make sure you take an evening to just chill. Join WELLWVU, Campus Recreation, AdventureWV, the Carruth Center and more for our semiannual chillFEST! Kick back and relax before finals with chair massages, therapy dogs, arts and crafts and more!
This spring's chillFEST will be on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 4-7 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center.
WELLWVU also has a daily chillPACK that helps you chill and retrain your brain to look for the positive. Do one activity a day and watch your productivity and perspective change for the better!
WITH SO MUCH GOING ON — MAKE SURE TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE!
Self-care means nurturing yourself so that you can be healthy, do your job to the best of your ability and be well. Taking care of yourself ensures that you can help and care for others as needed and do all the things you need and want to accomplish in a day.
It's important to prioritize your mental health and wellness. The Carruth Center offers self-care tips for taking care of yourself and reducing stress:
- Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation makes stress much worse. Sleeping on a consistent schedule is important.
- Move your body. Physical activity helps reduce stress and anxiety. But don't plan to exercise more than an hour per day.
- Be mindful. Remind yourself that this distress is temporary and your feelings can change for the better.
- Make sure to visit Carruth's website for more self-care tips.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.
The end of the semester and upcoming summer plans can bring a lot of stress. We want you to know that the Carruth Center is here for you, and we have available appointments. There are multiple ways students can talk with a counselor, including:
- Schedule an appointment online or by calling 304-293-4431.
- Using Talkspace, a free online therapy service that connects users to a dedicated therapist.
- You can stop by one of Carruth's Let's Chat events and have a 20-minute conversation with a Carruth therapist.
- In a crisis? Contact our Urgent/Crisis Clinic. Students experiencing an after-hours crisis or emergency can access an on-call counselor by calling 304-293-4431 and selecting option 1 or by texting "WVU" to 741741.
Don't forget about your support system! Lean on family and friends who can help you work through some of the items on your plate so you're able to balance work and your personal life.