“I’m fine, how are you?” Regardless of whether you’ve had a seemingly perfect, Disney-esque day or the polar opposite, this is the universal, instinctive way to respond to a greeting. For years, “I’m fine” had been my polite go-to response whenever I bumped into someone I know. It was neutral and safe, and it plainly summed up all that I was willing to share.

Spring is a time for renewal and fresh starts. Just as we often engage in a physical spring cleaning of our spaces, it's equally important to declutter our minds. A cluttered mind can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm, while a clear mind promotes focus, creativity, and overall well-being.

As the spring semester gets underway, a strong immune system keeps cold and other infections from slowing you down.

The spring semester can feel challenging at UVA. With a packed schedule, looming deadlines, and pressure to finish the academic year strong, stress can escalate.

The University’s Community Food Pantry partnered with Student Health and Wellness to provide Thanksgiving meal kits to students this year. The CFP, which provides access to food and hygiene items for students and staff experiencing financial hardships, prepped meal kits containing bread, canned goods and other food in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday for students to pick up between Nov. 20 and Nov. 27.

The University of Virginia ramped up mental health supports for students feeling stressed ahead of and immediately after Election Day. Recognizing that election season thrusts heavy topics to the top of news feeds, the university’s Student Health and Wellness program also advised students to limit doomscrolling and to do the following: unplug, be present, rest, connect with others and move their bodies.

Growing up in Charlottesville, Kristen Morris spent a lot of time on the University of Virginia’s Grounds, attending basketball games and events on the Lawn. Now, she is roughly a month away from graduating from the University with her master’s in public health – a journey her older brother inspired.

In an email from Liv Schortmann, Fourth Year Council vice president and fourth-year College student, Class Council officers encouraged all students to take a moment for remembrance and reflection by listening to the chapel bells ring in the afternoon and attending the candlelight vigil in the evening. The email also offered mental health resources including Student Health and Wellness and the online therapy program TimelyCare, and stated that students should seek help and lean on each other if they needed emotional support.

“This is a really difficult day,” said Nicole Ruzek, Chief Mental Health Officer at UVA. “Two years ago, it was very hard, and it really shook our whole community. And I think it’s a day of remembrance, it’s a day of reflection, and it’s a day to grieve and really remember these significant losses to our community.” That’s why they brought in Toby, a therapy dog. While a furry friend cannot erase the pain of such a huge loss, Ruzek says she hopes Toby can at least serve as a comfort.