The spring semester has officially begun, but it still feels like winter outside. Here are 3 things you can do to make it through the last few winter months.
1: Opt outside
Whether you’re in Boulder or studying remotely, getting outside is a great way to relieve stress, stay physically active and soak up some vitamin D. If you’re currently in Boulder, there are a number of great trails for hiking, snowshoeing and biking.
Don’t have gear? Don’t worry! The Outdoor Program has you covered through the Outdoor Equipment Rental Center, which provides hiking, camping, climbing and other outdoor gear for students, staff and faculty. They also have a variety of trips and courses and join online discussions to help you meet fellow Buffs, learn about the outdoors and plan your own trips. You can also rent bikes for free through the BCycle program.
2: Get involved
If you missed the Be Involved Fair, don’t worry. There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved and meet other students on campus and remotely. Here are a few ways to get started:
- Volunteer. The Volunteer Resource Center partners with local and regional nonprofits to create volunteer opportunities for CU Boulder students. These can be a great way to explore causes that matter to you, meet students with similar interests, add experience to your resume and give back to the community.
- Join an organization. CU Boulder has over 500 student clubs and organizations on campus. Student organizations cater to a wide variety of interests, including student majors and recreational hobbies. Use Buff Connect to search for groups you’re interested in and learn how to join.
- Find your team. The Rec Center on campus offers sport clubs and intramural sports. Sport club teams compete against other colleges and universities, while intramural sports are less formal and compete with other teams on campus. Both of these options are a great way to get active, meet new friends and play your favorite sports.
- Become a HealthBuff. If you’re passionate about health and wellness, Health Promotion is always looking for student volunteers and interns to join the HealthBuffs program. HealthBuffs play a key role in connecting with students and student groups to promote Health and Wellness resources across campus and educate students on a variety of topics, including sleep, stress management, relationship wellness, body image, suicide prevention and more.
3: Reach out for support
Whether it’s your first semester or your last, there are resources on campus to support you with mental health, self-care, future planning and more. Here are a few we recommend:
- Peer Wellness Coaching: Peer Wellness Coaches are Buffs who are trained to help students navigate resources, set goals, get connected on campus and more. If you need help navigating CU Boulder, finding ways to meet new friends or simply want to improve your self-care, Peer Wellness Coaching is a great free resource to try.
- Let’s Talk. Whether you’re concerned about stress, sadness, worry, relationships, academic performance, family problems or financial struggles, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is here for you. They provide free and confidential consultations through their virtual Let’s Talk program. Let’s Talk counselors can help provide insight, solutions and information about additional resources.
- Workshops. CAPS also has a number of virtual workshops available to students covering a variety of topics like stress, anxiety, healthy habits, COVID-19, difficult conversations and more. Students can also meet with a counselor one-on-one to address concerns and create a more personalized mental health plan.
- Ask an Advocate. The Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) understands that many students, staff and faculty may face barriers to accessing care for traumatic experiences. Their free virtual Ask an Advocate program allows you to connect virtually with a confidential advocate counselor to see if OVA’s services would be helpful based on your experience. Advocate counselors can help provide insight, solutions, information about resources and information about one’s rights and options around traumatic experiences.
More Health & Wellness Articles
