Dear community,
It’s official - today is the last day of November! We'll be wrapping up the Fall 2023 semester in about 2 weeks, and entering the new year before we know it.
We invite you to take a moment to reflect. What memories captivate you as you look back on the past semester, or on the past year? You might feel a sense of accomplishment, gratitude, or joy for how far you’ve come, what you're now on the other side of, who you're becoming, and who you’ve gained along your journey. You might also feel disappointed in certain outcomes, whether personal, academic, or professional. As you hold the complexities of these memories, you might also be feeling some pressure ahead of the new year. For our students, the pressure can be to get through final exams, final papers, final projects, and final presentations, before finally exhaling. We want to encourage you in this moment: you're still here. Pause and take a breath, as you allow yourself to come back into the present moment. Listen to your body. Remember you can rest, even in short spurts. Rest is restorative and can take many forms: physical, mental, emotional, sensory, creative, social, and/or spiritual.
Keep doing your best, one day at a time, until you reach the finish line! And remember, you are not alone.
Check out the events and resources highlighted below to support student health and well-being.
In community,
The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives at Cornell Health
part of Student and Campus Life at Cornell University
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Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo_hó:no' (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo_hó:no' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo_hó:no' dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo_hó:no' people, past and present, to these lands and waters.
Join world-renowned author and meditation teacher, David Gandelman, for a series of 30-minute talks, reflections, and guided meditations for Cornellians. Without judging or diminishing painful realities and associated feelings, we can practice centering ourselves while we invite, and give energy to peace. Each week will have a unique focus that will be shared in advance.
With a love for Cornell and local roots, David will come to Cornell to conclude the series with a special hybrid event on December 15. All Cornellians are invited to attend any or all of the sessions and no previous experience with meditation is necessary. Be in community together, as we care for ourselves and the world we share.
- Thursdays, Oct. 26th through Dec. 7th (except Nov. 23) & Friday, Dec. 15
- 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
- Virtual with a special hybrid event on December 15
Café con Leche: Region 1 Founders' Day Celebration
When: Friday, December 1, 2023 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
What: The Invincible Iota Chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. cordially invites everyone to our Region 1 Founders’ Day Celebration!
They will be coming together for dinner and a cake cutting on December 1st at 6PM in the Latino Living Center at Cornell University to celebrate the legacy of 4 trailblazing women that founded their everlasting Hermandad. Register here via Campus Groups.
Where: Anna Comstock Hall (Latino Living Center) 520 Thurston Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- When: Morning: Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Afternoon: Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- What: Join us for a tour of the Mullestein Winter Garden and make an evergreen wreath to take home in this special holiday program. Students in our Learning by Leading program will introduce you to the Winter Garden, which features a wide variety of evergreens and plants with winter beauty, and guide you through making your own wreath using cut greens and other decorations. Learn about the cultural lore surrounding evergreen plants and the historical significance of wreaths, and savor some festive holiday treats. Refreshments and all materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own decorative embellishments to make your wreath uniquely yours! Register for either the morning or afternoon session. Please register early as this popular program fills quickly!
- Where: Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center. 124 Comstock Knoll Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Fee: $40 General Admission, $35 Botanic Gardens Members, $30 CU Students
All We Can Save Circles:
When: Sunday, December 3, from 1:00pm - 2:30pm
What: Interested in engaging in deeper dialogue around the climate crisis and building community around solutions? Join us at our first student-led All We Can Save Circle to foster relaxed and open conversations about the intersection of climate and mental health! While we will be modeling the discussion after the circles designed by an editor of the book All We Can Save, reading or possessing the book is by no means necessary for participation in the workshop! Each circle will include an icebreaker activity, the reading of a short poem or excerpt written by a concerned climate citizen or activist, a conversation and/or thought-provoking questions, and an optional journaling activity. We hope to host 10 circles throughout the 2023-24 year that will build off of previous ones, with a small cohort of 6 to 10 students. Anyone is welcome to sign up, and we hope to see you there!
Where: Botanic Gardens Nevin Welcome Center.
No You're Not Overreacting: Pet a Puppy
When: Friday December 1, from 5 PM – 7 PM EST
What: Join Geneq and Cornell Guiding Eyes, for the ultimate de-stress sesh catered to WOC students! Take a break from your books and come unwind with adorable puppies, sweet donuts, and refreshing apple cider. It's the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge before diving into those finals.
Don't miss out on this paw-sitively delightful event!
Where: Register here on Campus Groups to receive the location!
Preparing for Finals (Touchdown's Guide to Thrive)
When: Thursday, November 30, from 7 PM – 8 PM EST
What: Join the Tatkon Peer Leaders and Learning Strategies Center in an interactive session that will help finish the semester strong! LSC study skills tutors will help you identify and plan out the steps that will work for you. We'll have finals survival kits for you to make as well.
Where: The Hub (RPCC 101)
Meditaciones en español with Mar Pérez from the Dean of Students office via Zoom
When: Monday, December 4, from 12:15pm to 12:45pm
What: Join Mar Pérez for a guided, mindfulness weekly meditation on Mondays at 12:15-12:45 pm. Let's Meditate is a free, guided, mindfulness meditation series sponsored by Cornell Health in collaboration with numerous campus partners. Let's Meditate is open to all members of the Cornell community, including students, faculty, and staff of all ages, genders, sizes, shapes, and abilities. You are welcome to come to as many sessions as you wish.
Where: Click here for Zoom details.
