Spring 2019 Newsletter LVC Counseling Services

A YEAR IN REFLECTION

Spring Has Sprung A new semester is in full swing, right along with a brand new season. Spring is a time of year welcomed by many as warmer temperatures set in. With Spring finally here and the sense of summer vacation spreading across campus, it is the perfect time to reflect on your academic and personal accomplishments. Did you achieve a certain grade in a subject that came with struggle? Did you step out of your comfort zone and try something new? Whatever brought you success this year, it is important to feel proud and embrace your triumphs.

Inside this issue, you will find uplifting articles from 5050 Peer Helpers Ellie McNamara, Lisa Orlando, Trevor Holak, and Ben Hoffman along with staff quotes to stay inspired, happy, and hopeful. You will also find LVC Counseling Services’ outreach across campus and a preview of forthcoming events.

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From left to right: Trevor Holak, Ellie McNamara, Lisa Orlando, Ben Hoffman

Spring 2019 Newsletter LVC Counseling Services

Graduation Day Ellie McNamara is a senior French major and co-facilitates 60 Minutes on Sundays from 6-7pm in Tweedie.

As the year comes to an end and graduation nears, I think more and more about the beginning. I started off my senior year with a semester in France where I learned a lot. Going to a country where you don’t know anyone, teaches you more about yourself than you can imagine. There are days when I wish I was back in France where my biggest worry was the language. Now, I worry about finding a job after graduation. I would love to travel and immediately experience more of the world, but I must find a job to fund my future travels. Studying abroad fed my desire to discover, but it also prepared me to say goodbye to LVC. A semester away showed me that there is more to the world than just studying for that “A.” While I prepare to leave, I must thank LVC for everything I learned. The most important things I learned did not involve a classroom. I learned how to deal with conflict through living with roommates and being an RA. I learned what it means to be an advocate as a 5050 and student leader. In short, I learned how to be ready for a life after college. Graduation is coming fast and the “real world” is looming and scary, but LVC has been preparing us for a life after college for years. If the “powers that be” thought we needed more

time to develop, they would keep us on campus longer. The world is waiting for new graduates, so let’s show them what we have to offer. Self-Discovery and Realization Lisa Orlando is a sophomore Physical Therapy major and co-facilitates OASIS on Saturdays from 6-7pm in Tweedie.

It’s amazing how something silly like a Biology practical made me feel the most stressed. At another moment, I believed I was the saddest person ever because of a long distance relationship. Now, looking back, I realize that those were simply the best times I’ve had so far, even though it was an emotional rollercoaster from hell. Building my resilience first began in October when someone dear to me died. Then, I crumbled under the weight of an unhealthy relationship. I became caught up in some drama, and as a result, someone I trusted betrayed me. One after another, these events occurred and by far it was the worst semester

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Stevie, Director of Counseling says:

“There’s a crack in everything. That’s how

the light gets in.”

- Leonard Cohen

Jordan, Counselor says:

“And one day she discovered that she

was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and

that not even she could hold herself back

because her passion burned brighter than

her fears.”

- Mark Anthony

Shanna, Counselor sings:

“But, what if it all goes right? What if it all works out?

What if the stars line up and good luck rains down? What if you chase your dreams and

it changes your whole life? Yeah, what if it all goes right?

What if you climb to the mountain top and touch the

sky? Grab a cloud as it passes by? You might fall,

you might fall. But then again you might fly.”

-Melissa Lawson, What If It All Goes Right

Spring 2019 Newsletter LVC Counseling Services

I have ever had emotionally. Every time I got back up from one adverse situation, the next one ensued. However, through the loss of a loved one, my relationship breakup, the betrayal (and more), I found myself. I realized what I deserve and the importance of cutting toxic people out of my life. What does finding yourself mean? It means that you’re learning the kind of person you are, what kind of person you want to be, and what you want in life.

Through the loss of my loved one, I learned a lot of things the hard way. Now, I look at life in a different way and I’m much more grateful for the good people I have in my life. After being mistreated by my ex for so long, I now realize the kind of treatment I deserve and the signs of an abusive relationship. I also know what I want in a partner and believe I am stronger because of it. At first, the betrayal of my friend was devastating, but then I realized that he’s not really my friend. A real friend would not betray someone and I knew I couldn’t trust him anymore. I learned how much I value trust and loyalty in others. I am a firm believer in learning from your experiences. Not everything you do is going to be successful and not everything that happens to you in life is going to be good. However, you should always learn from what life throws at you and live healthier with your new knowledge. The pain of last semester changed me for the better.

Tips From Trevor Trevor is a junior psychology major and co-facilitates 60 Minutes on Sundays from 6-7pm in Tweedie. College can feel like a constant state of “go, go, go,” wrapped in “let me submit this first,” and topped with “my professor just posted my grade.” With the high demands of school and an intense focus on maintaining grades, it can be easy to lose sight of the full spectrum of well-being. In this last year, I took a look at how I was treating myself and I found that some changes for the better were in order. Now, I would like to share some of these tips to help

everyone at LVC.Rest. In order to be alert and feel good for the day, 7-8 hours of sleep is needed. Our bodies have a “biological clock” known as our circadian rhythm. By going to sleep at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning, you can help regulate your circadian rhythm. This regulation will help your body prepare itself to wake up and give you a more satisfying night’s sleep, leading to more energy.Visualize. After waking up, take time to visualize your day. Think about what you have to do and visualize yourself succeeding in those daily challenges. These few minutes will allow you to set a positive mood for the day.Fuel. Always to remember to eat. Our bodies need food in order to have the energy to be attentive in class, participate in a conversation, be excited to see friends, and feel good and happy

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Jennifer, Administrative Assistant says:

“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty

seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery.

And I promise you something great will

come of it.”

- Benjamin Mee, We Bought a Zoo

Jill, Nurse says:

“We waste so many days waiting for the weekend. So many nights waiting for

morning. Our lust for future comfort is the biggest thief of life.”

- Joshua Glenn Clark

Spring 2019 Newsletter LVC Counseling Services

in general. Gratitude. When you return to bed at night, reflect on the day and what positive experiences you gained. Take this time to separate from social media, video games, studying, or anything that takes away your attention. Think of as many things that you are grateful for. By doing these simple steps, you can train your mind to enter a positive headspace rather than lingering in an atmosphere of negatives.

Inside Bathrooms & Outside Comfort Zone Ben is a junior psychology major and co-facilitates OASIS on Saturdays from 6-7pm in Tweedie.

This year put me out of my comfort zone. Last year, I did not do much to leave my dorm and meet new people. This year, my face is in nearly every bathroom on campus. That experience itself might not be very relatable, but what I think is relatable is the belief that by meeting new people, you grow as a result. When I was chosen to co-facilitate a weekend group (O.A.S.I.S.), I initially experienced a bit of anxiety over it. I had no idea what I would talk about, how I would run it, or if it would be something I would want to devote my Saturday nights to. However, my fellow 5050 Lisa and I talked to the group about how to relieve their anxieties and stressors, my own disappeared as well. These random people who joined our group quickly became regulars and people I could trust. By being thrust into this new environment where I had to lead discussions with people I wouldn't have talked to otherwise, I felt like I had become a more competent public speaker and met many awesome people. While that may sound great for me, you might be wondering, “Why should I care?” Similarly to what I mentioned earlier, it’s not the experience itself that is perhaps the most relatable, but rather

the lesson or belief behind it. We are constantly being told to “get outside your comfort zone,” but the challenge is how to do that. The experience of meeting new people isn’t something that is solely confined to leading a group or having office hours throughout the week. I encourage you to find your comfort zone and work to step outside of it. I am suggesting that you take the initiative and start trying something new. See you in the bathroom!

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Upcoming EventsDe-stress Break - Tues. April 30 11am-1pm

Wellness Week - April 3-10 Including tips, activities, student-led yoga, mindfulness

sessions, and more

Movie screening and panel of Beautiful Boy - April 8

Vigil for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April

Edited by Sierra Force