Student Psychological Services

Did you know January is Mental Wellness Month?

For those still working on setting resolutions or goals here are some tips to help you along the way.

Making New Year's resolutions can positively impact your mental health, but pursuing them is not easy. Scroll to see some of the pros and cons of making a New Year's resolution.

For those that choose to do a New Year’s resolutions are for 2024, remember to show yourself some grace and forgiveness during the times when you may struggle as you work to reach your goals.

Whether you have a private or shared office, cubicle, home or a make-shift desk on the counter; having an uncluttered and organized workspace will help you study and work more efficiently.

Tips for Getting Organized
1. Remove everything from your desk. Yes, everything.
2. Clean the surface. As you replace items, clean them with the appropriate cleaning supply. Usually, a damp cloth is sufficient, but other electrical items need specific care.
3. Get out the shredder and the garbage can. Shred, file, scan documents, business cards, recipes, photos as needed.
4. Place all documents and photos in the appropriate locations.
5. Shred and toss outdated documents, non-working pens, junk mail.

Happy New Year Toros!

Reflecting and reviewing our year is a great way to close out and move forward. It’s a wonderful time to close a chapter in our lives or simply start a new page.

So, block out some time to pose important questions to yourself as you close out the year. Here are some reflection questions to help you get started.

Here are some tips to help you reduce stress during this holiday season.

Have a safe and healthy Winter Break!

We will be closed beginning Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, and will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

If you or someone you know is having difficulties during the holidays, call or text 988 or text talk to 741741 to be connected with a mental health professional.

Inspired by

December can bring a mix of emotions. Be gentle with yourself, take breaks when you needed it, and remember its okay not to be okay.

If you or someone you know is having difficulties during the holidays, call or text 988 or text talk to 741741 to be connected with a mental health professional.

Today’s Mental Health Break reminder is about reflection and self-care. It’s easier to feel motivated to finish the semester when you acknowledge all that you have done so far. What are some things you are proud you accomplished this semester? Feel free to share below.

We share a few reminders from the universe. You’ve got this Toros! The end of finals is in sight!

It’s time for a Mental Health Break! All this studying might have you feeling restless or full of pent-up energy. Release it by putting on your favorite music and taking a dance break.

Don’t forget to take your Mental Health Break today. Here are some more fun and easy activities to do in between your study sessions.

Remember Toros, you can’t pour from an empty cup. It’s important to prioritize yourself and take care of yourself first. Take a Mental Health Break today by making your favorite drink to enjoy.

Every day this week we will share a Mental Health Break reminder. Here are some fun and relaxing activities to do during your Mental Health Break. Whether you hang out with friends, or enjoy your own company with music and nature, be sure to make some time just for yourself.

Start by making a to-do list. You can prioritize by due dates, and divide large tasks into smaller, manageable ones. Eliminate distractions by removing unnecessary items from your study area, including electronic devices. Focus on one task at a time. Multitasking can take away from productivity. Take frequent breaks. This can be more productive than working without one. Lastly, set specific, measurable, attainable, and time bound goals. Happy studying, you got this!

Today’s study tip includes more ways you can improve your study routine. The environment you create for yourself is very important and beneficial for concentration and meeting your goals. Don’t forget to nourish yourself with water, snacks, and breaks so that you don’t feel burn-out.

Today’s study tip is a reminder to get consistent and adequate sleep. A good night sleep helps your body and mind repair itself, allows you to be more productive and creative, and increases your overall ability to retain information and solve problems.

Today’s study tip includes 6 suggestions for optimizing your study routine. A good environment, atmosphere, and study tools can make all the difference. For a more in-depth explanation of the Pomodoro Technique, check out our Try It Tuesday post from October 10!

Today’s study tip is to prioritize, schedule, and be realistic with your workload. Assign a priority level to each task, such as high, medium, or low. Add deadlines and due dates to your tasks. Set realistic expectations/goals. It is vital to be realistic to provide direction, focus, and motivation. Being realistic increases your success, builds a positive self-image, and breaks down your assignments or projects into manageable steps.

This day stands as a reminder of the global struggle to end HIV-related stigma and to honor those we have lost, and a commitment to the work that one day HIV will not be a public health threat. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate support from a mental health professional call us at 310.243.3818 or you can call, text or chat 988 (the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline).

Every Friday we will be introducing our amazing ToroWellness Educators, so you can get to know them.

Each member of our Peer ToroWellness Program will be providing an answer to the following:
- Major/Student status & program
- Pronouns
- Hobbies
- What was your dream childhood career?
- What is your current career goal?

Today’s Random Acts of Kindness are ones you can share with everyone, including strangers. Let us know other ways you share kindness with those around you.

For Wellness Wednesday we want to share the benefits of Gratitude Journaling. Writing is a great activity for expressing positive and negative thoughts. Try out the 15 minute writing challenge and see what you think!

Today’s Try It Tuesday talks about the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique. This tool is great for managing anxiety, especially at the end of the semester when we are overwhelmed with homework and finals. Try it out and let us know what you think!

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate support from a mental health professional call us at 310.243.3818 or you can call, text or chat 988 (the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline).

This Try It Tuesday we are sharing a productivity tip called Don’t Break The Chain. This tool is helpful for setting and accomplishing long-term goals, as well as forming good habits. Try it out and let us know what you think below!

Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed every year on November 20th, to honor the trans and non-binary lives lost due to oppression, intolerance, and violence. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate support from a mental health professional call us at 310.243.3818 or you can call, text or chat 988 (the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline).

International Survivors of Su***de Loss Day is observed every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It is about coming together for healing and showing support to all who have lost friends and family to su***de. You are not alone! Crisis support is available if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or behavior, is experiencing emotional distress, or behaving in a way that could harm others. Call 988 to connect with 24/7 confidential 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline or go to 988lifeline.org. You can also text HOME to 741741.

Every Friday we will be introducing our amazing ToroWellness Educators, so you can get to know them.

Each member of our Peer ToroWellness Program will be providing an answer to the following:
- Major/Student status & program
- Pronouns
- Hobbies
- What was your dream childhood career?
- What is your current career goal?