Dear graduate students,

Fall officially began this week and you can definitely feel the change in the air. Days feel shorter as night descends earlier. Dealing with the change in seasons can add stress to your already challenging graduate studies.

Taking care of yourself physically is an essential part of maintaining your mental health. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to focus on your physical health, fall is the perfect time to start.

Though the Recreation and Wellness Center has been affected by pandemic, they are now offering group fitness classes to Vanderbilt students.  Limited in size, these classes are held outside, participants will maintain safe physical distance and must wear masks.  Offerings include Boot Camp, Body Conditioning, Cardio/Strength Mix and more. To learn more about these group fitness classes and the policies established to assure your safety, visit the Recreation and Wellness Center website.

From your body to your brain, the Student Care Network offers a variety of self-directed tools you can use, like Headspace, a mindfulness app to help reduce stress, improve focus and increase resilience and happiness.  Other tools include SilverCloud, an online mental health platform utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, and WellTrack, an interactive self-help app providing guided therapy for stress, anxiety and depression. The Center for Student Wellbeing is always a great resource for guidance and continues to offer Weekly Wellbeing Practices, though modified for the current times.

This semester is unlike any we’ve dealt with before. Make yourself a priority. Set aside time to focus on your wellbeing, both physical and mental. If that feels like a challenge, start small. Go outside for a short walk. Get up from your desk and stretch. Taking care of yourself is crucial in setting yourself up for overall success.

Best Regards,
Bunmi

Bunmi Olatunji
Interim Dean of the Graduate School

Need assistance?  Send us an email if you need support or would like guidance on identifying available university resources.

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