As students head into exam season, stress levels are high and, oftentimes, mental wellness takes a backseat to studying, practicing a final presentation, or preparing for an interview.
On April 3, myHBA – a student-led, peer support network for HBA students offering support sessions, workshops, year-round wellness events, and referrals to resources – hosted a wellness conference for HBA1s to learn about stress management and help alleviate feelings of anxiety as they begin exam season and summer jobs.
“A lot of change is happening in the next month for HBA1s which can bring uncertainty,” said Conference Directors Jaime Lowry and Payton Harrison, both HBA2. “We want them to feel more equipped to manage stress through learning coping techniques, improving emotional intelligence, and understanding that they are not alone.”
With support from the HBA Program Office, myHBA organized activities throughout the day for HBA1s and even distributed wellness bags containing items such as tea, snacks, chocolate, and a face mask for self-care.
During their first period, students heard from Western Law professor Dr. Thomas Telfer, who is a frequent speaker on mindfulness and mental health and has facilitated over 100 mindfulness workshops for lawyers, judges, doctors, professors and students.
Afterwards, students had the opportunity to hear from a panel of HBA2 students who, having gone through final exams and intense internships, could provide insights into how they handled these challenges. Students were then invited to their section classrooms to partake in a guided meditation aimed at reducing stress and anxiety. The day wrapped up with a discussion led by students’ Exec OWLs and their section VP myHBA representatives to discuss their feelings heading into the summer and how Ivey can better prepare them for their HBA2 semesters.
“As an HBA2 reflecting on my own experiences, I wish I had strategies and tips that helped prepare me for this change,” said myHBA Co-Director Rebecca Zuker. “We hope the conference provides HBA1 students with this assistance so that when the new semester comes along, students are ready to come back to Ivey in the fall with a fresh perspective.”
To learn more, visit the myHBA website or connect with myHBA on Instagram.
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