Self-Care

Try to stay positive

• Know that you can learn well online. Distance education is a well-established and effective way to take university courses all over the world. While it offers challenges, online learning also has benefits, like increased flexibility in your schedule and working at your own pace.
• Be patient with yourself if learning online is new to you. Online learning offers many advantages but also occasional setbacks, like figuring out how each application works or troubleshooting technical issues. Everything may take a little longer, especially in the beginning, and that’s okay.
• Use the support offered by the university. Bookmark UBC online resources, meet with your instructors during virtual office hours, and form online study groups with peers. Take advantage of counselling services, academic and financial advisors, or disability accommodations, if you need them.
• Be kind online. Always remember there is a person behind the words you read on screen. Use people’s preferred names (being mindful of spelling and pronunciation) and pronouns, communicate politely, and talk over video when you can. Seeing faces goes a long way toward keeping everyone engaged and connected.
• Have confidence in yourself. University is about learning and growing, and now is a chance to show yourself just how responsible, focused, and motivated you can be. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t ready to rise to the challenge. You’ve got this.

Talk to someone

• Make sure you can talk about how you’re feeling with someone you trust. That person may be a friend or family member, or you can reach out to a counselling service.
  • UBC Vancouver Counselling Services and UBC Okanagan Counselling Services offer confidential appointments.
  • The UBC Student Assistance Program offers 24/7 confidential counselling and coaching and is free for all UBC students.

Visit a UBC Wellness Centre

The Wellness Centres believe that a healthy mind, body, and spirit are foundations for students to achieve their personal and academic goals. Located in the Life Building (UBC Vancouver) and UNC 337 (UBC Okanagan), the Centres are friendly, peer-hosted spaces that offer many wellbeing services:

UBC Vancouver

• Drop by an information desk in person or submit a question online.
• Practice good sexual health with the sexual health shop.
• Find recovery support from the UBC Student Recovery Community.
• Learn more with other wellbeing training and education opportunities.

Focus on the 5 ways to thrive

Research consistently points to five ways to promote a healthy life. UBC Wellbeing calls these the “Thrive 5”, and each is an important pillar in supporting your wellbeing.

• Move more: Adding activity to each day can help you manage stress and boost your mood. This movement is especially important when learning online, when you tend to be more sedentary.
• Sleep soundly: Getting enough quality sleep can help you tackle work, classes, and life’s everyday challenges. At least seven hours of sleep per day also helps boost your immunity and maintain your physical health.
• Eat well: Eating a balanced diet can fuel your body and mind! Although on-the-go snacks may be convenient, it is important to provide your body with fresh nutritious options too.
• Give back: Helping others adds to your sense of purpose, connection, and wellbeing. There are many small ways to let people know you care and give support.
• Say hi: Spending time with family, friends, and community provides a sense of belonging. Try to make time to connect with others—online and in person—as best you can throughout the year.

Feel connected

• Actively stay in touch with people near and far. Try to make time for chats, video calls, or old-fashioned phone calls that support deeper connecting. But even a quick email or text to let others know you’re thinking about them will make you both feel good.
• Invite others to do activities with you—online or in person. You can play games, watch movies, cook and share meals, and more. The Chapman Learning Commons has compiled an extensive list of things to do for free from home.
• Engage meaningfully in online course interactions. Classroom discussions can sometimes seem like just another thing to check off in a course, but they don’t have to be. Look for ways to make connections with your peers around (and beyond) course topics.
• Create online study groups. There are many ways to form online study groups, and they can dramatically improve your motivation and decrease your sense of isolation.