We hope you had a restorative, restful, and fun fall break. As you return back to your routine, this week we want to focus on the importance of connecting with resources.

Everyone needs a little help sometimes. There are services and resources at Cornell designed specifically to bolster undergraduate, graduate, and professional student mental health and well-being. Remember, your mental health and emotional well-being are just as important as your physical health.

"It's not uncommon for smart and talented people to sometimes think that there's been some kind of mistake and that they don't deserve to be where they are. Don't fall prey to that kind of thinking. You've already demonstrated that you belong at Cornell." - President Martha E. Pollack, in orientation film Real Students Real Stories

Reach out for help! Successful people know they can't do it all on their own. Suffering in silence, procrastination, and denial are inefficient and ineffective. While it might feel unfamiliar, or even a bit daunting to initiate using a resource, the reward will be the answer to a question, the solving of a problem and/or getting yourself back on track in one way or another. So, use social and academic supports early and often.

In community,
The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives at Cornell Health
part of Student and Campus Life at Cornell University

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Programming note: The Thrive @ Cornell newsletter will transition to every other week. The next newsletter will be published on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.

Feel free to invite others to sign-up for the Thrive @ Cornell newsletter and/or share it with your networks!

Check out the new University website mentalhealth.cornell.edu and click "Get Support" to see the wide range of resources (e.g., academic support, financial well-being, nature and outdoor connections, social connections, etc.) that are available to support undergraduate, graduate, and professional students here at Cornell.

What are office hours, and how do students use them effectively?

“Office hours” are times professors and teaching assistants schedule outside of class to meet with students. You can ask questions about course material and also talk about general things like research, majors, and other interests.

Most office hours are drop-in: just show up. Other students may be there too, especially if you’re going right before an exam—you may find that you learn a lot from other students’ questions! If you cannot make it to your professor’s scheduled office hours it’s ok to ask if they could meet with you a different time.

Going to office hours is a great way to get help with challenging course material and also to get to know your professors and classmates better.

The Learning Strategies Center has more info about office hours here.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
626 Thurston Avenue Room 106 from 5 - 8pm

Willard Straight Hall Room 605 from 5 - 9pm

EARS Peer Mentoring Drop-In Hours

Drop-in hours will be informal, supportive, flexible student-to-student conversations with a Peer Mentor who is trained to be an empathetic listener and communicator on topics common to the student experience (e.g., adjusting to college/grad school, stress, social connections, identity, and more). Visit earscornell.org/peermentors for more information and for Peer Mentor bios!

Please continue to do your part to protect the Cornell and local community by continuing to wear your mask over your mouth and nose, monitor yourself for symptoms using the Daily Check, and participate in surveillance testing as assigned. If you traveled for Fall Break, be sure to get tested upon returning to campus and minimize your exposure to others until you get your arrival test results.

Friday, October 15 from @ 6:30 pm
The Latino Living Center Lounge

Join the Latino Living Center's Cafe Con Leche Series this week to learn more about the undocumented community and resources available on campus!

Monday, October 18, 2021 from 3:30 - 4:30pm
Facilitator: Joy Mushabac, LCSW-R
Register for the October 18 Anxiety Management workshop
Regular mindfulness practice and mindful meditation has been proven to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression while improving attention, clarity, concentration, and calm. Instead of being on “autopilot,” the skill of mindfulness is characterized by openness, attentiveness, and receptivity. This workshop will give you a taste of both mindfulness and meditation practice.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 3pm - 4pm

Facilitator: Anastasia Zyuban, PhD

Register for the October 20 Sleep workshop

Do you find yourself staying up late to finish your work, only to feel sluggish the next day? When you do hit the sack, do you find it hard to shut off your brain? If so, you are not alone. Busy Cornell students often find themselves sacrificing sleep in order to meet the demands of school. This workshop addresses how sleeping properly can help you work more efficiently and improve your overall quality of life.

Before or after dinner, come to Tatkon for a very informal chat. Stay as little or long as you like. Tatkon is all about older students sharing their knowledge and experiences with first years. Tat staff are super friendly and eager to help. Ask anything!

Exam Prep Workshop

Wed, Oct 20, 7-8pm, RPCC 222
How do I work more efficiently, get more sleep, manage procrastination and distractions, and prepare better for exams? Get tips on how to perform better and get more done, with less stress! Sponsored by the Tatkon Center for First-Year Students in partnership with the Learning Strategies Center.

Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 3:30 - 4:30pm

Facilitator: Sheila Singh, PhD
Register for the October 21 Self-Compassion workshop
In this workshop, we will discuss why we are self-critical, why that approach often backfires, and how to be kinder and more compassionate with yourself in order to do better and feel better.

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, October 22 from 12-5pm virtually. It's free, open to the public!

Find out more info and register at campusnature.com to attend for part or all of the sessions.

Many campuses across the country, like Cornell have started up NatureRx Initiatives to help students receive the physical and mental health benefits nature provides. The Campus NatureRx Network has recently added a resource guide to their website entitled:

Anti-racism in the Outdoors:

Resources related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion of black, indigenous and people of color in parks and greenspaces

Compiled by Don Rakow, Cornell University, dr14@cornell.edu, & Laura Brown, University of Connecticut- laura.brown@uconn.edu.

See more info here: https://www.campusnature.com/anti-racism-in-the-

Check out the Graduate School Events Calendar to find events specifically for graduate students: https://gradschool.cornell.edu/events/

If you find yourself struggling or in need of someone to talk to, know that you are not alone. The following resources are here to support you:

Cornell Resources

• mentalhealth.cornell.edu
• Cornell Health
  phone consultation (24/7): 607-255-5155
  
  

Ithaca Resources (24/7)

• Ithaca Crisisline: 607-272-1616
• Advocacy Center (sexual/domestic violence): 607-277-5000
  
  

National Talk-Lines (24/7)

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
• Trevor Project hotline (LGBTQ+): 866-488-7386
• LGBT+ National Hotline: 888-843-4564
• TransLifeline: 877-565-8860
  
  

National Text/Chat Services

• National Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741
• Steve Fund crisis text line: Text STEVE to 741741 (BIPOC)
• Trevor Project text line (LGBTQ+): Text START to 678678
  
  

National Suicide Prevention "Lifeline CHAT" service: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat