Strengths Week Promotes Student Wellness

The Division of Student Affairs is focused on helping students be successful and thrive during their time at the You of A. Over the past week the division hosted a series of workshops called Strengths Week. During Strengths Week students attended various sessions that addressed the importance of social well-being, gratitude, utilization of strengths, unlocking potential, and mindfulness, with the intention of learning to become more balanced and well-rounded people.

Last week began what is referred to among students as “testing month.” Over the course of the next few weeks students will take their first round of tests that will set the tone for the rest of the semester. For students who are new to collegiate testing this time is both stressful and nerve wracking.

Workshops such as the Mindfulness Sessions introduced coping mechanisms to reduce stress and improve the quality of life. During the workshop students learned relaxing and energizing breathing, visualization, and meditation.

After the Mindfulness Session Kaitlyn Smithwick, a junior, said, “I think it’s important for all students, especially freshmen, to attend workshops like these because it teaches them how to reduce stress. I’ve learned, through my time here, that stress can greatly affect academic performance, but learning to cope with stress is a skill that can be used far beyond college and into the real world.”

Kaitlyn and many other students have been able to benefit from Strengths week by learning about the importance of being social, reflecting, knowing your strengths and how to use them, and taking time to relax and decompress to avoid stress. These skills stretch far beyond the realm of college and will be useful life skills for the future.