From: Pounce Cougar
Date: March 7, 2024
Subject: Creating School and Life Balance


What is Balance?

Put simply, balance is the ability to weigh all of your responsibilities in a healthy, productive way. This can happen through stress management, advocating for your mental health and physical needs, not over-exerting yourself in activities and commitments, and more! Finding balance in your day-to-day is important in being able to take care of yourself and make the most of your college experience.

How to Balance being a Student and a Student Leader

First and foremost, be kind to yourself! Just as you wouldn't judge others for their methods or struggles, don't judge yourself. Finding balance can take time. Don't forget that we all handle stress, experiences, and balancing all of our responsibilities differently.

It's okay to prioritize one thing over another sometimes. In addition, it's okay to prioritize your wellbeing over school or club commitments. Doing so is an important part of balance to ensure you are taking care of yourself and are able to be the best student and student leader you can be.

Communication is Key

Don't forget to communicate with the members of your clubs/organizations, your professors, and with yourself! Communication is key in advocating for your mental health, wellbeing, and establishing balance.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Student Counseling has various resources for you to access! Some of these include a drop-in, informal consultation with a counselor called the Let's Talk Program, a Learn to Live Program that offers online mental health resources with access to online therapy, and Morris Let’s Thrive that offers mental health and wellbeing practices, skill building, and more. Additional resources include individual and group therapy appointments, access to resources from Peer Health Educators, and You at UMN which is a resource that provides students with a unique and specialized student portal to manage mental health and wellbeing.

Contact Information

Reach out to Student Counseling at 320-589-6060 for more information, questions, or to set up counseling appointments.

Self Care Tips and Tricks

• Stretching and Yoga

• Deep breathing/breathing exercises

• Meditation
Contact Tammy Berberi at berberit@morris.umn.edu for information about group meditation 

• Be active!
Go on walks, work out, spend time outside

• Take vitamin supplements
Consult your health care provider if necessary

• Spend time with animals
Visit Archie or Volunteer at the Humane Society

• Surround yourself with positive people and friends

• Don’t be afraid to set boundaries!

Planning a campus event and want to add an element of self care? Fill out this form to request Archie to appear at your next event!

Written By: Matilyn Carl

Thanks for this email!