In the lead up to Valentine’s Day, there can be a lot of pressure on relationships, and expectations on partners. There is one way to ensure you are truly happy this Valentine’s Day, and every day after that – by dating yourself.
Pembroke
Eating on a budget as a college student can be challenging. Whether you are living in Residence or off-campus, learning to live on your own and manage a budget is a transition we all face at one time or another. Check out these our top 5 tips to help you stay on track! Continue reading
As we all know, being in school can get pretty intense and strain your mental health. Here are some ways to support your mental health during the school year. There’s something on this list for everyone!
Mind & Body: Physical and Mental Self-Care
- Mood Walks: Weekly outdoor walks (yes, even in the winter) are an opportunity to explore your community, meet new friends, and walk your way to greater mental and physical wellness.
- Sleep: a module with tips and strategies to get more and/or better sleep.
- Stress Management: Tips and videos on coping with stress, check out the workshop to learn more!
- Peer Support – Big White Wall: A free online mental health and wellbeing service offering self-help programs, creative outlets, and a community that cares.
Self-Help Apps & Tools
CBT-based apps for mood tracking and mood management:
- WellTrack: For stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Mindshift: For worry, panic, perfectionism, social anxiety, and phobias.
Workbooks
- Just As I Am The Practice of Self-Care and Compassion: A guided journal to free yourself from self-criticism and feelings of low self-worth.
- Your Best You: Improving Your Mood: Teaches skills to manage your mood and improve general functioning.
- Your Best You: Managing Your Anxiety: A guide to managing different types of anxiety.
- CCI Workbooks: A variety of workbooks on topics such as appearance concerns, assertiveness, disordered eating, perfectionism, self-esteem, social anxiety, and more.
Modules
- Resilience: Strategies to improve your ability to recover after setbacks.
- TAO Self-Help: Educational modules with interactive activities to help you learn coping strategies for stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, anger management, problem-solving, and communication.
More apps and other online tools.
Guided Self-Help Tools
- TAO: You can also use TAO with the help of an AC Counsellor to motivate you and structure your progress.
- Bounce Back: A free skill-building program to help manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress, or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will receive access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
Reach Out: Counselling
- Good2Talk: A free, confidential helpline providing professional counselling, and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being to post-secondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365
- AC Counselling: Access confidential support through a walk-in consultation, where a counsellor will meet with you and help you develop a plan to address your concerns.
- AC Group Counselling: Boosts your skills, coping strategies, and support system by providing a safe, supportive environment where you can share your experiences. It enhances your connection to others and provides you with a variety of approaches and perspectives to help you deal with challenges.
Crisis Support
- Mental Health Crisis Line: For ages 16+ in the Ottawa region seeking support with mental health or other challenging life situations.
- Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region: Confidential support by phone for people either in distress or crisis.
- Crisis Services Canada: Accessible by phone, text, or chat, this service is for Canadians thinking about or affected by suicide.
Good luck,
Eliza Brown, Counsellor at Algonquin College
An obvious benefit of volunteering is the act of helping others – but did you know that there are many other benefits of volunteering such as network building? Here are some unexpected benefits of volunteering! Continue reading
You’ve made it to December! With the end of the semester in sight, some of us may be wondering what to do during the holiday break. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Check out these FREE events in Ottawa, Perth, and Pembroke in December! Continue reading
“I get stressed from juggling classes and my part-time job. How do I balance school, work, and life?”
As a college student, there are so many things to juggle that this can start to feel like a common dilemma:
I say if you’re forced to choose only two, then sorry– you’re doing it wrong.
Follow these 5 tips to improve your work-life balance:
1. Make sure your ‘anchors’ are in place.
What are anchors, you ask? Basically sleep, meals, and other healthy habits like exercise. It sounds basic, but these things underpin your quality of life, not to mention your productivity. If you’re lacking in these areas you’ll start to become overwhelmed, and college becomes a treadmill set to max. So have a consistent sleep schedule, Google easy/cheap/healthy recipes, and if you don’t have much time to work out, at least get out for a walk once in a while.
2. Make a weekly schedule.
First, click here for a schedule template.
Next, fill in your schedule in the following order:
- Fixed commitments (such as classes, work, and commuting)
- Healthy habits (sleep!)
- Homework time
- Everything else (like errands, seeing friends, etc.)
When in doubt about how many hours you need, overestimate. Be specific: assign each block of time to a class. Most students who do this find it’s a bit like a puzzle, but after a few tries, they can make everything fit. If you find that you don’t have enough hours in the week, you may have to make some lifestyle changes.
3. Use a To-do list.
Write a list of everything you have to do, not just school stuff. If your list is so long that just looking at it gives you anxiety, break it down into four sections according to this chart so that you can tell at a glance which items are priorities. Try the app Evernote for added practicality.
4. De-Stress.
It’s normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed when you’re spread too thin. Nip it in the bud before your stress gets out of hand– check out this stress management guide. Remember, figuring out how to have work-life balance that works for you is always a work in progress, so don’t get too discouraged.
5. Ask for help.
There’s a lot of Algonquin staff you can meet with to help you cultivate better work-life balance or improve your routine. For example, Student Success Specialists or Counsellors can be a great starting point.
Good luck!
By Eliza Brown, Counsellor for Counselling Services at Algonquin College.
Each month this summer, we’re highlighting useful services that you should know about. Here are three services that can help you get the most out of the summer term!
“I’m having trouble making friends in college. I’ve met some cool people in class, but everyone already seems to have their own social circle. On top of that, it’s hard to coordinate schedules and find time to hang out. How do I make closer friendships?”
The paradox of college: despite literally being surrounded by thousands of peers, it can be hard to meet people. These 10 tips will increase your chances of hitting it off with a new crew of friends.
Jambo! This May, our #ACGlobalProjects team set off for Nairobi, Kenya and ventured forth in the heart of the Maasai Mara. For 10 unforgettable days, our team worked together with ME to WE to help build a school, as well as take part in cultural and educational activities to learn about social issues in Kenya.
Each month this summer, we’ll be highlighting relevant and timely services that you should know about. Now that your semester’s in full swing, here are three services to keep on your radar!