By Meagan Williams
For some, a new school year brings excitement, joy and the anticipation of new adventures. For others, cracking open a new text book or three can bring a sickly, sinking feeling of anxiety and stress. A new schedule, new classes, new people and more importantly, new pressures and responsibilities.
If you are in the latter half of the equation, never fear, help is here! Student wellness is an issue that is taken very seriously for people like Dianna Cassie. Cassie is the Account Manager for Shepell FGI, the student support program that is free to all students enrolled at Lethbridge College.
“We have free counselling available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for students. It can be accessed by video sessions, telephone or an appointment can be set up with a counsellor here on campus.”
Cassie describes the most common stressors for students range between the pressures of passing exams and classes, to how they’re going to pay for dinner. Shepell FGI can also offer students free resources that are customized to your specific worries. Students can call the Shepell FGI hotline and receive anything from books, videos, CD’s and stress management strategies straight to your dorm room door, free of charge.
If your stressors include being unable to find a family physician or health care provider, the Lethbridge College Health Services department is ready to give you a full physical. Marie Laenen is one of the readily available nurses who are on staff here at the college.
“Health services provide a range of services completely free of charge for students. STI checks, pap smears, vaccinations, specialty physician referrals, counselling, anything!”
Students don’t even need to be enrolled in the college health plan to access these benefits, you just need to have an AHS health card and you’re set. Health services also extends its services to a student’s spouse or child. Leanen says that she also sees a lot of parents of students accessing their services to ensure that the student’s support network is completely informed and aware of the resources that are available to them.
If you’re just looking to blow of some steam and want to physically exert your stress the old fashioned way, then the college’s Be Fit For Life program may be for you. Personal trainer and student Caylee Vogel recommends checking out the group fitness classes.
“Finding a good balance is important and making time to invest in yourself and your fitness is a great way to do that.”
Walking into a gym can be an intimidating experience says Vogel, but staff at the college gym will show you how to use the fitness equipment and how to target the muscles correctly during your workouts. Vogel goes on to say that getting out to a fitness class is a great way to meet new people, learn new ways to have fun and increases your ability to handle stress throughout the school year.
For more information on what wellness resources are available to you, check out the wellness events page on My Horizon.