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Thrive Week
Thrive 2022
Thrive Week returns Fall 2022 - stay tuned for details to be announced in September!
This Winter, Thrive took place place March 7 - 11. The past two years have been filled with a large amount of uncertainty and navigating this has likely been challenging in different ways for each of us. Because of this uncertainty, we may have had to pivot our wellness and self or community care strategies in different ways to navigate unexpected changes and unpredictable situations. This pivot may have looked like learning about a new resource available to you on campus, learning about your own individual strengths and values, prioritizing self-care, leaning into your community for support or something completely different! Each of us have factors and extenuating circumstances out of our control and how we get to a place of thriving will always be unique to each of us, unique to our circumstances, and a work in progress.
This week we’d like to invite you to explore what “learning to thrive” looks like for you in your current circumstances! We invite you to take part in a week of free Thrive events, to become curious about and better understand what you need to care for yourself during this time. Remember, this is a process that will ebb and flow, and we encourage you to be kind to yourself during this time.
All events are free and registration is only required on events noted in the schedule. Note that all students are welcome to attend these events.
Don't forget to check out our social media campaigns too for chances to win some great prizes!
Monday March 7
Meet the Counsellors
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Brantford Campus, Wellness Hub in One Market| Drop-In
Description: Got questions about counselling services at Laurier? Drop by the Wellness Hub in One Market to meet the Brantford counselling team, learn how our group programs and workshops could support you, and snag your free journal complete with tips and prompts to guide your journey into journaling!
Self-Care and Resilience Workshop
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: Learn how your habits can impact your sense of well-being and your ability to cope throughout the day. This workshop is led by Brian, a counsellor in the Student Wellness Centre on the Brantford campus. This workshop is open to all students but is also one of the workshops required to complete our Wellness Education Certificate.
Anxiety and Depression 101
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Remote | Drop-In
Description: This counsellor-led clinical drop-in group will introduce key concepts of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help with managing anxiety and helping with depression relapse prevention.
Peer Support for Black Students
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: This session is specifically for Black students to have a friendly space to discuss the unique experience of working, studying, and living while Black in an environment that is predominantly white. Two Black students who are trained as peer supporters will be facilitating the session. Peer Support aims to create a safe, inviting space where students can discuss student-life concerns with a trained peer supporter who can listen, validate, and refer. Peer Support is free, non-judgmental, and confidential.
Golden Rules: Optimism, Perspective & Self-Compassion
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: When things go wrong, we tend to blame ourselves and can be highly self-critical. In this session, learn how to flip into a more positive way of thinking, being and doing. It’s time we learned to be our own best friend, especially in the moments we need it the most!
Procrastinate Later...
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | P224- Waterloo Campus | Register in advance
Description: Understand the reasons why and identify how you procrastinate while learning methods that will help you avoid procrastination. Register for this event on the Student Success Portal (linked above).
Glow in the Dark Cycle Fit
4:30 – 5:15 p.m. | Athletic Complex- Waterloo Campus | Register in advance
Description: Get pumped up at Glow in the Dark Cyclefit at 4:30PM, in-person Athletic Complex. Wear white to make yourself glow! Register online through your account on laurierathletics.com, no group exercise pass is required. Please check-in at the Athletic Complex Hawk Desk with your Ontario Enhanced Vaccine Passport (with QR Code) and SafeHawk COVID-19 Self Assessment Badge.
Tuesday March 8
Get Moving with Group Exercise!
All Day | Athletic Complex, Waterloo Campus | Register in Advance
Description: Join us for any of our Group Exercise Classes, free of charge with no Group Ex pass required! Reserve your spot for a class through your account on laurierathletics.com. Please check-in at the Athletic Complex Hawk Desk with your Ontario Enhanced Vaccine Passport (with QR Code) and SafeHawk COVID-19 Self-Assessment Badge.
Refuel and Rethrive Mug Giveaway
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Concourse, Waterloo Campus | Drop-In
Description: Visit the Peer Wellness Educators in the upper level of the concourse on the Waterloo campus and pick up a free Thrive mug with your choice of a packet of oatmeal, hot chocolate or soup to help you fuel up and stay warm!
Grounding and Mindfulness
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: Learn strategies to increase your self-awareness and focus on the present moment. This workshop teaches skills that are great for daily practice and to help you cope when feeling stressed. This workshop is led by Maggie, a counsellor in the Student Wellness Centre on the Brantford campus. This workshop is open to all students but is also one of the workshops required to complete our Wellness Education Certificate.
Brantford Thrive Kit Giveaway
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Level One Lounge, Brantford Campus | Drop-In
Description: Thrive Kits are back in Brantford thanks to generous funding from the Student Life Levy! Drop by the Level One Lounge to grab your special Thrive edition reusable tote bag and choose from a selection of goodies specially curated with wellness in mind! Kits will be available while supplies last so be sure to snag yours while you can!
DBT in a Nutshell
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Remote | Drop-In
Description: This online counsellor-led clinical group will review one skill of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy each week. You will learn concrete skills to solve problems, maintain positive relationships, and navigate difficult events, and emotions.
Food and Mood
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: The food we eat impacts our physical health and mental wellness. Learn tips for eating well, managing emotional eating, and preventing yourself from getting hangry. This workshop is led by Heather, a counsellor in the Student Wellness Centre, and Heather W, a dietician in the Student Wellness Centre.
Study with Me
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Remote | Drop-In
Description: Assignments and exams are part of the student experience, but it can be hard to find the time or the motivation to get things done. It can be easier to get your work done using the productivity hack called body doubling. Join Peer Wellness Educators on Zoom for these sessions and have a space to get things done! Don’t feel obligated to stay the entire time if you only need the accountability for a fraction of that. These sessions are open to all Laurier students and registration is not required. Questions about what to expect? Email msoppitt@wlu.ca.
Got FOMO, Grad Students?
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in Advance
Description: Calling all grad students! With so many opportunities and not enough time, FOMO is bound to happen, and we're here to help! Join staff from Wellness Education and the Accessible Learning Centre to learn about the dreaded Fear of Missing Out. In this workshop we will explore what FOMO is, how it may be experienced, how to prevent and cope with FOMO when it comes up, and when to ask for help if it becomes too much.
Glow in the Dark Flirty Fitness
7:30 - 8:15 p.m. | Athletic Complex, Waterloo Campus | Register in advance
Description: Get pumped up at Glow in the Dark Flirty Fitness at 7:30pm, in-person Athletic Complex. Wear white to make yourself glow! Register online through your account on laurierathletics.com, no group exercise pass is required. Please check-in at the Athletic Complex Hawk Desk with your Ontario Enhanced Vaccine Passport (with QR Code) and SafeHawk COVID-19 Self-Assessment Badge.
Finding Your Bliss
8:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: Learn how to uncover your talents, find meaning through your work, passions, and utilize what brings you joy. Explore the intersections of spiritual and vocational wellness and how they impact our whole wellbeing. This workshop is led by Jessica, the Wellness Education Assistant, and Sarina, the Manager of Wellness Education and a Career Development Practitioner.
Wednesday March 9
StudTEA Break
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | One Market Kitchen, Brantford Campus | Register in advance
Description: Need a studTEA break? Join us for a tasting of tea flights from Steve's Teas Brantford! If you're looking to try something new, or are just getting into tea, this event is for you! Not only will you have the opportunity to try some amazing teas, you will also be able to claim a free Thrive mug! You can find this amazing event happening in the cafeteria in One Market Room 207. Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance to claim your spot!
Puppy in the Park
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Waterloo Campus | Registration closed, this event is at capacity
Description: Join pups Sasha, Marley, Gertie and Ellie along with Athletics and Recreation and Wellness Education on the Waterloo campus for a 1-hour wellness walk in Waterloo Park! This event is open to undergraduate and graduate students. Meet in front of the library at 1pm and dress for the weather! To ensure capacity limits are maintained, participants must register for this event.
Brantford Thrive Kit Giveaway
1:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Level One Lounge, Brantford Campus | Drop-In
Description: Thrive Kits are back in Brantford thanks to generous funding from the Student Life Levy! Drop by the Level One Lounge to grab your special Thrive edition reusable tote bag and choose from a selection of goodies specially curated with wellness in mind! Kits will be available while supplies last so be sure to snag yours while you can!
Explore Who You Are
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Remote | Drop-in
Description: Do you love doing online quizzes? Learn more about yourself! An introduction to the assessments and activities we offer at the Career Centre to learn more about who you are, your passions, personality and values. Explore how learning about yourself can impact your choices and make the most of your time at Laurier and beyond! Facilitated by Jenn Hicks, Career Consultant.
Eating for Well-Being
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: Food, mood, and learning are all closely linked, but when you're short on time and money it can be difficult to plan meals and prep for success. This workshop provides practical strategies you can use immediately to overcome common barriers to nutrition, so you can keep your body fueled and brain sharp! This workshop is led by Sarah, the Wellness Education Coordinator on the Brantford campus. This workshop is open to all students but is also one of the workshops required to complete our Wellness Education Certificate.
Mindful Yoga
5:30 - 6:15 p.m. | Athletic Complex, Waterloo Campus | Register in advance
Description: Take some time to reset during our slow-paced yoga class with a focus on mindfulness and meditation. Register for this class through your account on recreation.laurierathletics.com and check-in at the Athletic Complex Hawk Desk with your Ontario Enhanced Vaccine Passport (with QR Code) and SafeHawk COVID-19 Self-Assessment Badge.
Peer Support for Stressed Out Students
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: Join two students who are trained as peer supporters to discuss the various stressors you have during your university experience. Connecting with peers, sharing common experiences, receiving advice and learning about other resources available can increase our sense of community and sense of support during stressful times! Peer Support aims to create a safe, inviting space where students can discuss student-life concerns with a trained peer supporter who can listen, validate, and refer.
Thursday March 10
Brantford Thrive Kit Giveaway
10:00 - 12:00 p.m. | Level One Lounge, Brantford Campus | Drop-In
Description: Thrive Kits are back in Brantford thanks to generous funding from the Student Life Levy! Drop by the Level One Lounge to grab your special Thrive edition reusable tote bag and choose from a selection of goodies specially curated with wellness in mind! Kits will be available while supplies last so be sure to snag yours while you can!
Thriving Thursday with the SU Food Bank
10:00 am - 2:00 p.m. | RCW Lobby, Brantford Campus | Drop-In
Description: Our physical health can have a huge impact on our mental health, and the Students’ Union FoodBank is here to help you fuel your body and mind! Drop by the RCW Lobby between 10am and 2pm on Thursday, March 10th to pick up a free food parcel. Feeling crafty? Our parcel bags could use some love! Hang around to decorate a bag to make a fellow Golden Hawk smile at their next parcel pickup. Every bag you decorate gets you an entry into a draw to win a Ninja Nutri Pro Personal Blender!
Golden Rules: Optimism, Perspective & Self-Compassion
11:00 am - 12:00 p.m. | Remote | Drop-In
Description: When things go wrong, we tend to blame ourselves and can be highly self-critical. In this session, learn how to flip into a more positive way of thinking, being and doing. It’s time we learned to be our own best friend, especially in the moments we need it the most!
Grab a Bite with the Golden Hawks
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Athletic Complex, Waterloo Campus | Drop-In
Description: Fuel yourself with free snacks provided at the AC.
Peer Support for Staying Connected
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: The demands of being a student, working and living through a pandemic for the past two years can be very isolating. This session is specifically for students who want to connect with other students to combat loneliness. Students are encouraged to come to this session to share their feelings and experiences or just listen and validate. Two Laurier students who are trained as peer supporters will be facilitating the session. Peer Support aims to create a safe, inviting space where students can discuss student-life concerns with a trained peer supporter who can listen, validate, and refer.
Multiple-Choice, Multiple Strategies!
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | OM 209, Brantford Campus | Register in advance
Description: Develop an understanding of the different types of multiple-choice questions and identify effective strategies for both studying and performing on multiple-choice exams.
Bob Ross Painting
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | RCW Lobby, Brantford Campus | Drop-In
Description: Getting creative is a great way to express yourself and maintain positive mental health! Join LSPIRG as we learn to paint like Bob Ross. All supplies will be provided, and no artistic experience or talent required!
Learning to Thrive in Grad School
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: Do you find yourself struggling to keep up with self and family care tasks on top of all your other responsibilities while in grad school? The graduate student experience is different for everyone, but one thing all graduate students have in common is the busy-ness of it all! It can be difficult to stay on top of all your responsibilities while also juggling lectures, assignments and readings. Join Wellness Education Coordinator and graduate student Mary discusses some strategies she's found successful while juggling the many demands of graduate student life.
Friday March 11
Fresh Fruit Friday
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm. | Brantford and Waterloo Campuses | Drop-In
Description: Drop by the Wellness Education Centre in Waterloo (Room SS1-107 next to the food court) or the Wellness Hub in Brantford (One Market Room 207) to grab some free fruit, meet members of our team, and learn about the range of wellness resources at Laurier! This event is open to undergraduate and graduate students as well as staff and faculty.
Brantford Thrive Kit Giveaway
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Level One Lounge, Brantford Campus | Drop-In
Description: Thrive Kits are back in Brantford thanks to generous funding from the Student Life Levy! Drop by the Level One Lounge to grab your special Thrive edition reusable tote bag and choose from a selection of goodies specially curated with wellness in mind! Kits will be available while supplies last so be sure to snag yours while you can!
Self-Compassion and the Body
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Remote | Register in advance
Description: Join Wellness Education as we dig into self-compassion research to learn about the key features of self-compassion, its impacts on mind and body, and ways to use self-compassion as a tool to foster greater connection to the body. This workshop is part of the brand new Body Sovereignty Certificate - learn more about this series on Instagram @ConsentIsGolden.
Asynchronous Activities
Academic Success x Mental Health Give Away
Keep the conversation going by engaging in a social media giveaway hosted on the @laurierstudentsuccess Instagram account! Studies have proven that the connection between academic success and mental health is a two-way street, so it’s important that we know how to look after our mental health so that we can continue working toward, and achieving, our academic goals. By engaging in our giveaway, not only will you have a chance to pick up a new strategy or two (or 10!) to help you take care of your mental health, but you’ll also have the chance to win a Laurier swag prize pack donated by the Accessible Learning Centre (ALC).
To enter, students must:
(1) follow @laurierstudentsuccess on Instagram
(2) like the Thrive Week grid post
(3) tag a friend and include one positive thing they are doing for their mental health in the comments.
Giveaway will be posted on March 4 and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on March 11. Winner will be contacted by @laurierstudentsuccess via DM by March 18 to claim their prize. Multiple entries allowed. Giveaway is not associated with Instagram.
Thrive BINGO
As an incentive to make time for your wellness, students have the opportunity to be entered into a draw to win one of two prizes of a slow cooker and slow cooker recipe book. To gain an entry to the giveaway you must: Complete five tasks on the Thrive Bingo card over Thrive week (March 7-11th), fill in the form below indicating which 5 tasks you did and reflect on how they impacted your wellness over the week. Students must visit @laurierwellness on Instagram for full contest rules. Students must follow contest rules to be entered into the draw. You must complete this form before 4:30pm EST on Friday, March 11th.
Fosters on Deck
Love animals? Check out this pre-recorded interview with the Brant County SPCA to learn about the Laurier/Brantford SPCA partnership with the animal foster program and meet some of the animals in the program!
About Thrive
Thrive is a weeklong series of free events to build positive mental health on campus. Thrive began at the University of British Columbia in 2009. Laurier adopted the program in 2017 and now runs Thrive every Fall and Winter term on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Thrive is overseen by Laurier's Mental Health Advisory Committee, and incorporates student input and feedback when planning the week.
If you are interested in collaborating with Thrive Week, contact Mary Soppitt on the Waterloo campus, and contact Sarah Syrett on the Brantford campus.
Feedback
We are trying new things every term and we want to hear what you liked or what we can do better next time. Use our Event Feedback Form to let us know your thoughts on a specific event you attended or Thrive week as a whole. Students that complete the Event Feedback Form will be entered into a draw with an opportunity to win an Apple Watch Series 3 or 1 of 3 themed gift pack prizes (gift pack 1: Bathtub Bakery self-care, gift pack, gift pack 2: local coffee & tea gift pack or gift pack 3: air fryer). Contest rules can be found by visiting @laurierwellenss on Instagram. Make sure you fill out the form and send it off to a friend too!
Have feedback regarding other mental health programming throughout the year? Whether it is a new event or workshop you would like to see, or certain topics you would like to be covered, please let us know. Submit your ideas using our mental health suggestion box.