Whether you’ve been preparing to go back to school for weeks or you’re a last minute packer, it’s time to head to campus. These wellness tips will help you start the school year off right.
1. Stay Focused: Summer is a good time to relax and recharge – but after a few months in the sun, it’s helpful to refocus on what you want to get out of your education. Reflect on what your college education means to you, and how it helps you to achieve your potential. This will allow you to return to school with a fresh and newly energized mindset.
2. Get Mentally and Physically Prepared: The school grind can be tough. Loads of work and socializing can put your mind and body under pressure. Clear you mind and stay centered by exercising, getting enough sleep, and eating well.
3. Set Achievable Goals: It’s easy to get bogged down with work and other obligations. Setting goals can help you manage your priorities when the school year starts. Whether it’s to join more clubs, get involved with a charity, go for a walk every day or take advantage of your professor’s office hours, specific goals will help make the school year more productive.
4. Create Good Habits: Good habits (like getting to bed earlier or limiting your hours of screen time) can do wonders for your well-being. Establishing good habits at the beginning of the school year will help you to start off on the right foot and maintain them moving forward.
5. Don’t Overthink It: Be confident in your preparation and your abilities as a student. Try not to get too caught up in worrying about your grades or how much other students may be doing compared to you. Instead, put trust in yourself that you will be fine and are capable of navigating challenges that may come your way.
Remember, if you are concerned about yourself or a friend, please speak up and ask for help. Reach out to a counselor or advisor on your campus. You can always text “START” to 741-741 or call 1-800-273 TALK (8255) for support.
For more tips about staying emotionally healthy at school, visit ULifeline.org.
Category Archives: Resources
NOVA Students: Coping Skills Group Has Openings!
NOVA students juggle all kinds of stresses and obligations, from succeeding academically to fitting in socially to managing financial and family pressures. Fortunately, a coping skills group that will focus on the skills, information, resources, and support you need will be starting at the Alexandria campus in June. The group will be limited to 10 students and guided by an experienced facilitator. This is a free service provided through Access Hope.
For more information, please contact Grace Gray, MSW, at 703-281-4928 ext. 424 or Ggray@thewomenscenter.org.
First Meeting:
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Time: 1:00 pm
Where: NOVA’s Women Center
5000 Dawes Avenue Alexandria, VA 22311-5097
Bisdorf Building
NOVA SAS and NOVA Police Collect Items for Local Domestic Violence Shelters
March 12, 2015
NOVA Sexual Assault Services (SAS) and NOVA Police Department conducted a donation drive from January 26th through March 6th. Items, to include cleaning, hygiene, and household products, were collected in support of two Domestic Violence Shelters in Northern Virginia. Over 500 items were collected and distributed accordingly. NOVA SAS and NOVA Police thank everyone who donated and helped make a difference in the lives of individuals experiencing domestic violence. For more information or to contact NOVA SAS for assistance, call our 24-hour cell at 703.338.0834 or by email at nova.sas@nvcc.edu.
Discounted Psychiatric Services Come to NOVA Students through Access Hope!
Access Hope is offering a new resource to all active NOVA Students.
Mental Health First Aid Training, 2 Days: Oct. 8-9 Register now in NOVA Academy
Greetings!
The Office of Student Mental Health and Behavior and the Professional Development Unit (HR) have invited the Fairfax County Community Services Board once again to facilitate the Mental Health First Aid workshop.
Location: Fairfax, 3922 Pender, Suite 150
Date: Wednesday, October 8th and Thursday, October 9th.
Time: 9:30 am-till 3:00 pm.
Note: Participants need to commit to both days and be present for the duration of the sessions to receive their certification.
Maximum number of participants: 20
Registration closes on Tuesday, September 30th at midnight, so sign up now!
Course Title:
NOVA – HR: Mental Health First Aid
Course Description:
You are more likely to encounter someone experiencing a mental health crisis than someone having a heart attack. Mental Health First Aid is an interactive 8-hour course that teaches you about common warning signs and risk factors for mental health problems and provides a five-step action plan and resources for helping someone in crisis. Mental Health First Aid provides an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and gives an overview of common treatments. Those who take the 8 hour course certify as Mental Health First Aiders and learn a 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
Please register through NOVA Academy for this class at https://covkc.virginia.gov/nvcc. Search for keyword “nova health.” You may contact AskHR@nvcc.edu if you have any additional questions.
Thank you,
Human Resources
Northern Virginia Community College
3926 Pender Drive, Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22030-0974
In light of Robin Williams’ Passing – Here is some info on helping those struggling with depression
CrisisLink – You Talk, We Listen.
Recognize the Signs of Suicidal Behavior
Things People Might Say…
- “I’m tired of life. I can’t go on.”
- “My family would be better off without me.”
- “Who cares if I’m dead anyway?”
- “I just want out.”
- “I won’t be around much longer.”
- “Soon you won’t have to worry about me.”
- “I wish I were dead.”
- “I’m going to end it all.”
- “I just want to die.”
- “I’m going to kill myself.”
- “If….doesn’t happen, I’m going to kill
myself.”
Things People Might Do…
- Get a gun or stockpile pills
- Give away prized possessions
- Take more impulsive risks
- Cut themselves or other gestures of self-harm
- Neglect their appearance
- Abuse alcohol and/or drugs
- Isolate themselves/run away/drop out of school
- Show a dramatic change of mood
In Light of Robin Williams’
Passing – Here is some info from Crisis Link on helping those struggling with depression. NOVACares!
College-Wide Military Open House – Aug. 16; 10:00-13:00; AL Campus Hosting
August 16th from 10:00-13:00 hours there will be a College-Wide Military Open House (Hosted by the Alexandria Campus). Please register.
Military and veteran advisors will be on hand to assist with a variety of services including how to apply to NOVA and to enroll for courses.
Register by sending an e-mail with subject line “College-Wide Military Open House” to militaryservices@nvcc.edu.
Event hosted by Alexandria Campus at Bisdorf Building Lobby.
| Location Information: Alexandria – Bisdorf (View Map) 3001 North Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311 Room: Lobby |
| Contact Information: Email: militaryservices@nvcc.edu   |
May is Mental Health Month
Recognize the Signs of Suicidal Behavior
Things People Might Say…
“I’m tired of life. I can’t go on.”
“My family would be better off without me.”
“Who cares if I’m dead anyway?”
“I just want out.”
“I won’t be around much longer.”
“Soon you won’t have to worry about me.”
“I wish I were dead.”
“I’m going to end it all.”
“I just want to die.”
“I’m going to kill myself.”
“If….doesn’t happen, I’m going to kill
myself.”
Things People Might Do…
Get a gun or stockpile pills
Give away prized possessions
Take more impulsive risks
Cut themselves or other gestures of self-harm
Neglect their appearance
Abuse alcohol and/or drugs
Isolate themselves/run away/drop out of school
Show a dramatic change of mood
Call CRISISLINK at 1-800-273-TALK for 24/7 support.
Have you downloaded the new LiveSafe App yet?
Free On-Line Trainings “At Risk” for NOVA. Try them out!
Kognito is an FREE interactive training for Faculty and Staff . Through interactive conversation with student avatars, you can practice how to talk to students in distress and how to talk to and support our military students. There is also a training for students on how to identify and talk to their peers who may be at risk.
The links to these trainings are below. The password to participate in these trainings is listed as well. Please note that trainings are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so please do not wait too long to participate. Feel free to share this training opportunity with anyone you think may benefit.
At-Risk for Faculty & Staff
Website: http://www.kognitocampus.com/faculty
Enrollment Key: cspcva
At-Risk for Students
Website: http://www.kognitocampus.com/student
Enrollment Key: cspcva
Veterans on Campus
Website: http://www.kognitocampus.com/vet
Enrollment Key: cspcva