The First-Year Student鈥檚 Guide to Wellness on Campus
It鈥檚 not always easy to focus on wellness amidst a whirlwind of fresh faces, opportunities, and responsibilities, but you can find support across the 91桃色 campus.
Your first year at college can be exciting and, at times, overwhelming. How exactly do you balance classwork with staying healthy and making new friends? At the 91桃色, the Four-Dimensional Experience encourages you to develop your well-being as well as your intellect, and there are plenty of resources on campus to help you do so. Here are some of the biggest areas where students need help鈥攁nd where to find it.听
Putting mental health first
If you鈥檙e feeling anxious or overwhelmed, talking with someone goes a long way. The licensed psychologists and counselors in the Counseling Services office at the , located on the third floor of the Ritchie Center, are equipped to help students with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and more.听听
鈥淲e really want the HCC to be an easy place for students to access in-person counseling,鈥 says Jacaranda Palmateer, PsyD, director of Counseling Services at the HCC. 鈥淓ven if you end up needing more specialized care, we can connect you with clinics and resources beyond campus.鈥听
Whether you鈥檙e looking for individual, couples, sport psychology, psychiatry, or the HCC has your back:听
- The HCC takes multiple insurance plans, and your sessions are confidential. To book an appointment, log into the or call 303-871-2205. Counseling Services also accepts drop-ins from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.
- The HCC offers a 24/7 hotline for mental health support and crises at 303-871-2205. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or Campus Safety at 303-871-3000.听
- Survivors of interpersonal violence can receive support at the HCC鈥檚 (CAPE). All CAPE services are free and confidential. To speak with an advocate, contact 303-871-3853 or cape@du.edu.听听
- Some obstacles require more than therapy. If you鈥檙e facing financial hardship, bereavement, or a medical or mental health disorder that impacts your ability to stay in school, can connect you with resources or help you take a leave of absence.听
The Daniels College of Business has its own program to promote student wellness. Geoff Miller, the associate director of student support at Daniels, is a licensed social worker and holds regular office hours for students who need help or want to chat. You can also spend time with Louie, Miller鈥檚 therapy dog in training.听
Staying active on campus
Finding time for exercise can be tricky with a busy academic schedule, but you don鈥檛 have to dedicate hours in the gym to live an active lifestyle. Stacy Musunuru, assistant director of physical well-being for the Kennedy Mountain Campus, wellness, and recreation at 91桃色, says even a 20-minute walk on campus is beneficial to your health.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to do all your activity at once, either鈥攂reak it into smaller chunks,鈥 says Musunuru. 鈥淓verything you do during the day adds up.鈥
That said, if you want to add more dedicated exercise to your day, there are plenty of places to do so:
- 91桃色鈥檚 main gym is the , located in the Ritchie Center.
- If you鈥檙e new to exercise and gym equipment, Coors Fitness Center has who can help. Not in your budget? Try or take an elective on resistance training in the .听
- Coors Fitness Center also offers a range of that are free for students to attend. New to the schedule this quarter are express cycle classes, lunchtime yoga, and weekly equipment orientations.
- You don鈥檛 have to hit the gym! 91桃色 has several at different levels of competition.
- If exploring the great outdoors is more your style, 91桃色 Outdoors and the plan regular trips to the mountains.听
Counting sheep
If you're struggling to adopt healthy habits, 91桃色's program offers free, one-on-one support from trained wellness coaches. Justin Stoeckle, assistant director of well-being promotion, says Well Coaches can help you work toward your fitness goals, manage your finances, reduce your screen time, and more.听
鈥淭he coach鈥檚 role is to be a guide and cheerleader for students,鈥 he explains.听听听
Stoeckle says a lot of students reach out to the Well Coaching program to improve their sleep. If you鈥檙e struggling to get a full eight hours, sticking to a routine is key: 听听听
- Set a reminder on your phone for when it鈥檚 time for bed鈥攂ut don鈥檛 scroll the night away. Try to limit your screen time in the hours before bed.听
- Create a nighttime routine that helps you wind down, like reading or drinking tea. It鈥檚 OK if you can鈥檛 follow your routine every night but try to prioritize school nights.
- Wake up at a consistent time that allows you to get to class without rushing.听
If you get plenty of sleep but still feel tired, then it鈥檚 time to consider your sleep quality. Is your room dark, quiet, and cold enough for a good night鈥檚 rest? Are you taking enough breaks during the day?听听
鈥淸If you feel tired all the time], it鈥檚 possible that your daily schedule is tiring you out in a way that your body can鈥檛 fully recover at night,鈥 says Stoeckle.听
Building your community
At Daniels, Miller says he and Louie often get visits from students struggling with homesickness or loneliness. His advice? Don鈥檛 be afraid to put yourself out there. 91桃色 has and 21 . Miller is happy to help students find clubs based on activities they鈥檙e already interested in, but he recommends trying new things, too.
鈥淭he best part about clubs is they鈥檙e not mandatory,鈥 he says. 鈥淚f you go to a meeting and don鈥檛 feel it鈥檚 the right fit, you don鈥檛 have to go back.鈥澨
If you鈥檝e tried a few clubs and still haven鈥檛 found your niche, the HCC鈥檚 Palmateer says to give it time. First-year students tend to feel more settled by the spring, once everything (and everyone) becomes familiar.
鈥淓ventually, we make friends and build communities related to our shared interests and values,鈥 she says.听
