Students often deal with responsibilities that cause high levels of stress, such as financial pressure, academic demands, and social expectations. Often, these stressors can leave students feeling disconnected from themselves and their communities. Overwhelmed by their responsibilities, students may not prioritize their wellness. 

UFV’s Student Wellness Education and Promotion team – which includes Katina Noble, Dueen Meer, and Shyanne Boudreau – believe that health and wellness are the key factors in an enjoyable university experience. From Oct 7-11, they’re presenting Student Wellness Week, which will focus on highlighting students’ common struggles, offering resources, general education on health and wellbeing, and inclusivity. 

The theme this year is ‘Dimensions of Wellness.’  

“Our underlying message is that wellness is within everyone and it’s an individualized journey that we’re here to support,” Shyanne says. “Everyone comes to UFV with their perspective and experiences, from first-time learners to mature students, and we just want to emphasize that we see you and we will support you in whatever ways we can, and in whatever ways you need.”  

Motivation Monday focuses on intellectual and occupational wellness, and includes an Academic Success Centre workshop called ‘Plan, Don’t Cram’  

Transformation Tuesday is about social and environmental wellness and includes a community fair featuring representatives from social organizations throughout the Fraser Valley. It also offers discussions surrounding safe drug supply, harm reduction, and the impact of B.C.’s overdose crisis on students.  Student Wellness prioritizes dismantling stigmas surrounding substance use in hopes for students to become more comfortable talking about substance use and overdoses.   

The highlight of Wellness Wednesday is mental health screening, where students can gently ease into counselling. They’ll also enjoy a student panel facilitated by Dr. Daryl Smith, director of UFV International.  

“Often, students don’t feel like they have time to take care of their wellness, me included,” says Katina. “However, wellness can simply mean taking a pause for a couple seconds and grounding yourself. I hope that this wellness week can be that pause for students.” 

Thrive Thursday is about financial and environmental wellness, featuring a conversation with Elder-in-Residence Denise Douglas on “Words on Wellness.” Student Wellness Week also includes several RBC Financial Wellness workshops, sexual education workshops, and opportunities to move your bodies with walks hosted by Sustainability and a GLOW Zumba party; Frisky Friday tackles sexual wellness.  

Shyanne’s enthusiasm shines through as she talks about what’s being offered.  

“There are a number of dimensions and themes, but they all tie together,” she says. “I hope students look at the schedule and think, ‘Oh! I really want to go to that,’ or ‘there’s so much. How am I going to choose?’  

“I want students to feel value and feel this is for them. I want them to feel like they are part of something, that they belong.”   

For more on Student Wellness Week, visit ufv.ca/student-wellness/wellness-week, and for more on what’s happening year-round on UFV campuses, check out https://www.ufv.ca/student-wellness/.