Fall has arrived in southern Maine, evidenced by cooler temps, shortened daylight hours, and my favorite seasonal phenomena: the gorgeous array of colors the maple, birch, and beech trees present to us. Our students have been hard at work, something I witness each day as I pass through spaces like the Ketchum Library and Ripich Commons. So too have they been having fun, something I also have the pleasure of observing as I join them in the stands at athletic events and engage with them at some of the fantastic social and educational programs that have been hosted since their arrival in August.
One such event that is especially dear to me, is Fresh Check Day (FCD), which we hosted on October 1st. FCD is an interactive event that features fun and informative activities designed and carried out by students and members of our professional staff. The goal of FCD is to promote mental health in an uplifting and joyful atmosphere. This year, that included over a dozen booths that engaged students through reflective art, that asked them to “burn” (i.e., shred) their worries, and among others, to identify the people or things for which they’re grateful. Mocktails and snacks were included, as were the musical stylings of DJ Assistant Dean, Shane Long.
Events like Fresh Check Day are especially important for our young people, as the emphasis is placed on the habits they can adopt to improve their mental fitness. Not unlike the ways they can support physical fitness through lifting weights, a walk or run outside, or swimming laps in our Campus Center pool, students can also support their mental fitness by building connections with peers, adopting healthy sleep patterns (see Sleep Wellness for more on this), and engaging with techniques that help them to appropriately manage stress (e.g., meditation). Carving out the time to do any of these things can be a challenge for the busy college student. However, what I know after having worked with college students for over 25 years, is that a failure to adopt the kinds of habits that promote both their physical and mental fitness can leave some with feelings of dissatisfaction, mental fatigue, and isolation.
Please partner with me in reinforcing messages with your student that prioritize physical and mental fitness. Perhaps your student has an exam or assignment deadline approaching, and they report feeling worried or overwhelmed. In addition to reminding them that the Student Academic Success Center is a great resource, please also consider reminding them to make time for a break with friends, or for a walk on the beach while listening to their favorite music. Research demonstrates for us that the benefits of time spent with friends or in nature are numerous. What your student may need most, however, is your gentle encouragement that prompts them to take this much needed and valuable break.