The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) has launched Fall into Wellness, a series of events along with self-guided resources to support students on their journey towards emotional, physical, and professional well-being. Events will take place in September, October, and November, including Taking Care Tuesdays and Wellness Wednesdays every week. We will also be hosting our pre-exam Wellness Week, a perennial favorite, during the week of November 18 through November 22.
We will provide you with skills and social support to remind you that sustaining healthy behaviors is beneficial throughout the semester, your legal education, and your career.
At UB School of Law, we are committed to fostering a vibrant and healthy law school community. Check out the programs and events taking place throughout the fall semester to promote wellness and support your success.
(Click on the red circles below to reveal the activities for that week.)
On Monday, Aug. 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a Peer-To-Peer Pizza Party in 106 O'Brian Hall!
Painting Pumpkins
Come and destress with us! Grab a pumpkin and display your creativity. Fall-themed drinks and snacks will be available.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in 533 (Fishbowl Room) in the Law Library.
OSA & WBASNY: 8 Minute Networking
Join us for an evening of one-on-one mentoring, networking, and refreshments with lawyers from a wide variety of practice areas.
5:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. | Location TBD
On Friday, Nov. 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for a Peer-To-Peer Breakfast in 509 O'Brian Hall!
Thanksgiving
The University at Buffalo School of Law, Charles B. Sears Law Library, and International Law Society invite Law Students, Faculty, & Staff to Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday Nov. 21 between 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Law Library Reading Room.
We will also be accepting canned food donations for UB's Blue Table Food Pantry. For a full ist of acceptable items, please visit the UB Blue Table website
Check out the programs and events taking place weekly throughout the fall semester to promote health and wellness.
(Click on the red circles below to reveal the activities for that week.)
Taking Care Tuesdays: Mid Day Coffee / Tea Hour break with OSA Team
Drop in on Tuesdays between 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in 312 O'Brian to have coffee or tea, de-stress, spend time with members from the OSA team, and chat about any questions!
Wellness Wednesdays with Ther-a-pups from SPCA's Paws For Love
Enjoy therapeutic time with the SPCA's Paws For Love volunteers' dogs weekly on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in O'Brian Hall Lobby
If you cannot visit our on-campus dogs, destress by watching animals:
Pets - especially dogs and cats - can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. Don’t have a pet at home? Why not bring a smile to your face with animal cams? Check out these suggestions:
Yoga Thursdays with Ashley Abbott
In collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs' Wellness Initiatives, Director of Student Life, Ashley Abbott will host weekly yoga classes.
Benefits of Yoga:
Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Wellness Room (640 O'Brian Hall - inside of the law library)
An Accredited Financial Counselor® from AccessLex Institute® will be offering free, 30-minute, one-on-one financial coaching appointments the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of September & October (9/13, 9/27, 10/11, & 10/25) between 10:30 AM – 1:00PM in 30-minute sessions.
To sign up, please use this link: https://calendly.com/max-coaches/buffalo?month=2023-09 or scan the attached calendly QR code.
On the following Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for 30-minute individual phone calls with Access Lex. Please sign up here: Select a Date & Time - Calendly
Join Thom Neil, LCSW for a psychoeducational workshop series for UB Law students addressing mental health and wellness concerns. Feel free to bring your lunch since all workshops take place at noon.
All workshops will take place Wednesdays at 12-12:45PM in 505 O'Brian Hall.
September 27 - Self Care Plans: Come to this workshop to learn how to assess your self-care and build a plan to nurture yourself.
October 11 - Perfectionism & Imposter Syndrome: These insidious ways of thinking are painful, often creating more depression, anxiety and stress. Let’s define them and discuss solutions.
October 25 - Self-Compassion: We will process ways to be gentler with ourselves and make more room for our needs with non-judgment.
November 8 - Depression & Seasonal Depression: Most people contend with depression or seasonal depression at some time in their life. Learn some facts and approaches to these conditions.
November 15 - Managing Breaks & Holiday Blues: Do breaks create more sadness, stress and anxiety? Travel? Family? Downtime? Holiday expectations? Let’s look at common reactions and ways to deal with them.
Please join Thom Neill, LCSW from Counseling Services as he helps you navigate through these relatable topics during your fall semester.
All events will take place in 505 O’Brian Hall.
Please feel free to bring your lunch to these workshops.
Millions of people all over the world live with depression and anxiety. This includes law students, who juggle many stressors and demands which may create or exacerbate these conditions. Come to this workshop to learn some helpful approaches to these common issues.
Many law students report feelings of imposter syndrome. This manifests as feeling as though one’s success is not deserved or legitimately achieved. It can also leave students feeling like a “fraud” or a “phony” as though they do not belong. They often suffer anxiety waiting to be “found out.” This workshop will discuss this phenomenon, define the types of imposterism and ways to address it.
While diligence and attention to detail make exceptional law professionals, perfectionism is an insidious way of thinking that often leaves law students depressed and anxious. Come learn about the traits of perfectionism as well as ways to approach it with self-compassion and mindfulness.
Anxiety is a naturally occurring reaction to stress. Ideally, it is designed to gently prompt us to be alert and proactive when needed. However, anxiety can grow into an unhealthy and dysfunctional over reaction that has led many law students to exhaustion and feelings of overwhelm. Come join a discussion about anxiety and ways to work with it, hopefully lessening its impact on your health and mental health.