After the excitement of returning to school from summer vacation settles down, students may come to find life hits them all at once. Newcomers miss their families and friends, while the veterans may be overwhelmed by the schoolwork junior and senior year bring. Luckily for us Vandals, there are resources all over campus to help cope with the influx of stress.
A great way to take a break from all the homework and studying is to explore the beautiful University of Idaho campus. The arboretum is magnificent in the fall and there are biking and running trails from Moscow to Pullman and on Moscow Mountain to explore. Taking a walk, playing Frisbee or hiking are all great ways to relieve stress and get some fresh air. There is also the Student Recreation Center, which has classes for all abilities and interests, as well as personal trainers. All these resources help students step away from the stress of school and take a deep breath.
While it can be easier to settle into the physical change and routine of college, the emotional side can bring some curves in the road. The Counseling and Testing Center (CTC) on the third floor of Mary E. Forney Hall is a great resource for all students. It can be really helpful to simply talk to someone outside of your situation or to work on finding coping strategies for stress. They are confidential and specialize in many different areas of mental health. Whether students are struggling with anxiety or wanting to work on a relationship, they can help.
Along with the CTC, there is also the Women’s Center on campus in the Memorial Gymnasium. They have a lounge with coffee if students need somewhere to get away, and professional and student interns who are always willing to chat.
A final aspect of a student’s health to keep in check is mental and intellectual. At this point in the semester, we have settled into a routine — we know where our classes are, have met the professors and some students might have even taken a test already. However, it’s still important to check in and monitor success. An easy way to do this is by going to a professor’s office hours. Ask questions, ask to review a past assignment or chat about their research. This is a great way to build rapport and feel more comfortable during class.
There is also the tutoring center on campus, located on the second floor of the library. This service is free and they offer a wide range of classes and times to accommodate student schedules.
Finally, there is Career Services located in Commons room 334. They provide help writing resumes and cover letters, finding job and internship opportunities or even discussing the path to a future career.
While the initial excitement of school may have worn off, there are many opportunities and resources on campus to help bring it back. If students want more resources on health and wellness, Vandal Health Education and Campus Recreation host the annual Vandal Health and Rec Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 1-5 p.m. at the SRC. This is a great opportunity to get any questions about health answered and to meet many great campus and community health, wellness and recreation resources.
Kylie George is a peer educator
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