Weekly Wellness Newsletter 4/23/24

April 23, 2024

Your guide to wellness programs and events, recreational opportunities and highlights, timely educational wellness information and service offerings throughout the academic year.

Stay Hydrated & Energized during Finals

Many students turn to caffeine during finals to help power through late nights of studying. However, it is important to be careful with caffeine so you can stay hydrated and energized, especially when there is an endless supply at home.

Kelly Read, our Registered Dietitian in the Student Health Center, shared her tips on staying hydrated and energized to help you finish this semester stronger than your coffee.

Avoid drinking more caffeine than you normally do. Drinking more caffeine than usual may cause migraines, restlessness, fast heartbeat or an upset stomach. These side effects are not helpful for stressful times.
Drink water. The best way to keep yourself hydrated is by drinking water. Staying hydrated helps you stay focused, thus increasing productivity. Dehydration is also known to give us headaches. Use a reusable water bottle and refill it throughout the day.
Be mindful of sugar content. Many caffeinated drinks also come with sugar. Consider drinking less sugar sweetened beverages, such as soda, energy drinks, and café drinks.

Nutrition Services at RIT

Finals Tips from the Academic Success Center

Finals are right around the corner, Tigers! The Academic Success Center is here to help you cross the finish line with confidence with some more of their tried and true finals tips.

Remember your resources. You still have access to resources even though you might be remote. Email your professors any questions about exams, especially with remote testing/submission. Also remember that the RIT librarians are available virtually to help with research, and virtual appointments can be made with the Expressive Communication Center and of course the Academic Success Center. You’re not alone!
Designate a study spot. Choose a spot in your home that’s quiet and private. Keep it clean, tidy, and distraction free. Use that spot whenever you need to concentrate on an exam, paper, or project.
Rest. Let yourself rest. This doesn’t just apply to before an exam, but also in between exams. If you don’t feel like you need sleep, just find something to do that recharges you.

Academic Success Center

Tell Me Something Good written in black text on a yellow background graphic

Exam Tips!

When your focus is on studying for exams, it’s easy to let your physical and mental health habits fall to the wayside. Here are some tips to support your mental and physical health during this stressful season:

Eat healthy snacks: snacks like fruit salad, trail mix and carrots will keep your mind active and your energy levels up!
Take breaks: studies have shown that intense cramming for extended periods of time don’t actually allow you to retain any more information. Take a 10 minute break every hour to refresh your mind.
SLEEP!: Allowing your body and mind to rest and recover will increase your focus during studying sessions and test time! You should be getting between 7-9 hours per night.

Wellness Events Calendar

We’ve put together a Wellness Events Calendar to compile all the RIT Wellness events and programs in one easy place to find and refer back to all semester long. This includes CaPS workshops and community spaces, Mental Health First Aid training opportunities, Bow Wow Wellness, and more.

Be sure to save this page, as we’re always adding new events and programs throughout the semester!

Wellness Events Calendar

Black Mental Health Matters
Thursday, May 2
12-4 p.m., Gordon Field House / SLC Upper Lobby

Join us for free food, games, and giveaways while breaking down barriers surrounding mental health in the Black community!

Counseling and Psychological Services along with the help of DDI, Campus Life, and MCAS have worked together to create a program intended to create a safe space for open dialogue and shared experiences to begin breaking down the barriers surrounding mental health in the Black community. During an afternoon of games and fun, we will work toward fostering a sense of unity with an emphasis on building community, connection, and mental health.

Learn more

Personal Trainer Certification Prep Course
May 13 - June 21

The Center for Recreational Sports is offering a program to help you study for, and pass, the personal trainer certification exam. This 6-week online, asynchronous course will help prepare participants to take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) personal trainer exam. Course participants will receive a discount on the exam registration upon course completion.

If you are serious about becoming certified and potentially working in the Wiedman Fitness Center as a personal trainer, sign up today! Contact mrwciar@rit.edu with any questions.

RIT Summer Golf League
Wednesdays, beginning May 15
Genesee Valley Golf Course

Join the RIT Summer Golf League! The 2 person team league will run every Wednesday for 14 weeks beginning May 15. Tee times range from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The league costs $200 per person, which includes 9 holes per week for 14 weeks, walking. Riding carts are available for an additional cost.

If you have the Monroe County Parks M-F or Unlimited pass, contact drscri@rit.edu prior to registering.

Ongoing Education Opportunities

Mental Health First Aid at RIT

RIT Wellness is excited to offer all students, faculty, and staff members of the RIT community the opportunity to participate in Mental Health First Aid training sessions this spring.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training course, in which you will:

Learn how to describe and talk about mental health, openly and non-judgmentally
Learn how to approach, reassure, and support a fellow RIT community member when they may be struggling with their mental health
Explore what self-care looks like for you with practical applications of self-care

To participate in a Mental Health First Aid training session, you can either request a session for your group or register for a scheduled session. If you have any questions, please contact Beau Gibbs at bmghcw@rit.edu.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid at RIT

For additional events and event information, go to rit.edu/events.