Take a breath…and we have made it to the last Welfare at Leeds blog of the second term, and what a term it has been. LUU has been home to the World Unite Festival, the Leadership Race and LGBTQ+ History Month. From the Student Advice Centre has come the Light Café and Mind Yourself: The Health and Wellbeing Festival. It has been exciting and jam-packed, however it has brought its own stresses too. Students have dealt with exams, results and further assessments whilst braving the wind and rain of winter.
As the Easter break approaches, stress can often intensify as last minute assessments creep up on you and disturb the first sunny days on campus. It is also a time of preparation as students in their final years prepare for dissertations and the upcoming summer exams. It is important to always remember the academic support available to you through your personal tutors and departmental student support officers. The Student Advice Centre can also help you apply for mitigating circumstances and query results you are unhappy with if you need this support.
In the run up to the holidays everyone is in the library photocopying passages of books they will need over the Easter break, and preparing for the revision and deadlines ahead. If you are away from Leeds during the Easter break it is easy to feel distant from the support networks you have developed whilst at University. This support is still there as University and Union services stay open for the majority of the break. However, you can also take steps for yourself before Easter and attend sessions which will equip you with skills the take care of your health and wellbeing over the break. These workshops will provide you with key self-care skills which can help regain a sense of control and confidence when the revision gets tough.
Firstly, the ‘Easing the Pressure’ course, which takes place in Room 1 of LUU at 3pm on Wednesdays, focuses on building personal resilience. It uses an experimental and meditative approach to explore themes of time management, self-esteem and relaxation. It aims to empower you and equip you with effective practices.
Secondly, there are a series of new classes starting which focus on ‘Breathing Techniques and Meditation’. The launch workshop is taking place on 21st March at 16:00 in Room 4 of LUU, and as with the ‘Easing the Pressure’ course are free to attend. This launch session will focus on breathing techniques, how to calm your mind, bring clarity to your vision and gain focus.
There are also a variety of academic skills workshops run in the University of Leeds libraries, which can help you gain in practical skill and confidence. Find more information of the skills workshops running here: https://library.leeds.ac.uk/skills-workshops
Why not try one of these sessions out and find out what it can offer to you! Finally, remember the Easter holidays are also a time to relax, so don’t overwork yourself.
Martha Clowes
(Image courtesy of: https://library.leeds.ac.uk/skills-workshops)