The Flourish, October 2023

Transitioning to Life on the Farm

Welcome to the Farm and fall quarter! You may find yourself experiencing a range of emotions, regardless if you’re a new student or returning student. Transitioning to college or arriving on the Farm includes being on your own, leaving family and friends, and often moving to a new area. Allow yourself time to adjust, as it may take a little while to settle in, and know that you belong here!

This month we offer a checklist for flourishing on the Farm- taking care of your physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and social well-being, a reflection written by a student on transitioning to campus as a first-time and returning student, tips for setting SMART goals for the academic year, and helpful resources to maximize your experience at Stanford. We hope this edition will help you have a smooth transition to campus and wish you a year full of flourishing!

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What's Flourishing This Month?

October 10 is World Mental Health Day! Let us continue to educate ourselves, create awareness, and care for ourselves and each other. In honor of World Mental Health Day, take a moment to thank those who have supported you and reach out to your friends, family, and loved ones who are dealing with a mental health issue. Learn more about World Mental Health Day. For a comprehensive list of mental health resources at Stanford, visit the Student Mental Health Hub.

Upcoming Events, Programs, and Workshops

(U) = Open to undergraduate students (G) = Open to graduate students

• Stanford Living Education Classes - Enrollment is now open for the fall quarter! 15 amazing courses available to students from Stanford Living Education in the WELLNESS, LIFE and LEAD programs. How to access: Check out the full list of courses for the fall quarter. Follow the enrollment instructions for the course(s) you are interested in. (U)(G)
• Action Plan for Mental Health Group - Thursdays from 12pm - 1pm (10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26). Do you find that mental health issues make it difficult for you to thrive at Stanford? Developing an Action Plan for Mental Health helps identify feelings and behaviors, and triggers that threaten well-being, while building a toolbox of coping strategies, and other supports. How to access: Sign up on the Vaden Portal (U)(G)
• Seeking Safety - Tuesdays from 2pm - 3:15pm (10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31). Skill-based group appropriate for anyone who experiences difficulty with emotion regulation, impulsivity, and unhealthy coping behaviors that interfere with their ability to function in school and relationships. Being “safe” means managing emotions and taking care of yourself in adaptive ways. How to access: Sign up on the Vaden Portal (U)(G)
• SOM BIPOC Student Support Group - Thursdays from 8:30am - 9:30am (10/12, 10/19, 10/26). This is a 5-session, student-lead virtual support group for School of Medicine BIPOC students, with 2 MHT clinicians serving as host facilitators. Students will build tools to cope with academic and professional stressors, anxiety, issues rooted in systemic oppression, decrease impostor phenomenon, and process other student lead topics. How to access: Sign up on the Vaden Portal (G)
• QTrees - Thursdays from 11am - 12pm (10/12, 10/19, 10/26). QTrees is a process/support group for LGBTQIA+ undergraduate and graduate students at Stanford. Join us to connect with other LGBTQIA+ to process and support each other around your identity and how that may impact your experience. How to access: Sign up on the Vaden Portal (U)(G)
• The Algorithm - Thursdays from 3:30pm - 5pm (10/12, 10/26). The Algorithm is four in-person sessions created to support BIPOC students with navigating self-view/self-image, including processing internalized messages. How to access: Sign up on the interest form (U)(G)
• Anxiety Toolbox Workshop - Multiple dates and times available (10/13, 10/17, 10/24, 10/25, 10/30). Learn how stress and anxiety show up in your body, emotions, thoughts and behaviors, and gain skills to lower anxiety in each area. Increase your ability to manage anxious thoughts and develop skills to recognize the role of systems of oppression and conditioning in anxiety. How to access: Call CAPS at 650.723.3785 or message your therapist at CAPS. (U)(G)
• Rooted! Black Graduate Student Support Group - Mondays from 2:30pm - 3:30pm (10/16, 10/23, 10/30). This support group is for Black-identified Stanford graduate students that is designed to be a confidential space for students to speak their minds, build community, rest, connect with themselves, and learn coping skills for managing graduate life at Stanford. How to access: Call CAPS at 650.723.3785 or message your therapist at CAPS. (G)
• Dissertation Support Group - Mondays from 4pm - 5pm (10/16, 10/23, 10/30). This is a six-session group where you can meet other graduate students like you, share goals and perspectives on navigating common themes (e.g. isolation, motivation, relationships), vent, and learn some helpful coping skills to manage the stress of dissertation writing. How to access: Sign up on the interest form (G)
• Questioning - Tuesdays from 4pm-5pm (10/17, 10/19, 10/24). A discussion, support, and community space series. Each meeting hopes to create space for a particular group to explore the unique experiences, challenges, and positives of questioning identity.  Snacks will be provided. How to access: No RSVP necessary. (U)(G)
• Meditation for Mental Wellness - Mondays from 11am - 12pm (10/23, 10/30). This four-session workshop will introduce you to the practice of mindfulness and meditation to assist you with managing stress and enriching your life. This is an educational class series, led by a CAPS therapist. How to access: Sign up on the Vaden Portal (U)(G)

For additional upcoming events, check out the Office of Student Engagement