University at Buffalo (UB)
Spring into Wellness
February 2 – May 1, 2026
The Office of Student Affairs' Spring into Wellness program offers events and self-guided resources to support students on their emotional, physical, and professional well-being journey.
Events will take place in February, March, April, and May including reoccurring weekly events.
We will also be hosting our pre-exam Wellness Week, a perennial favorite, during the week of April 27 through May 1.
Our events help you develop skills and foster social support, emphasizing the importance of sustaining healthy behaviors throughout law school, your legal education, and your career.
On this page:
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 spring semester to promote wellness and support your success.
(Click on the red circles below to reveal the event details.)
The Office of Student Affairs kicks off Spring into Wellness with a Moe's Welcome Back Luncheon on Wednesday, February 4th from 12-1PM in the Law Library on the 6th Floor.
Hobby Hour: Painting Valentine’s Day Cards with Lisa Patterson
Wednesday, February 11th
Drop in any time between 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 6th Floor Law Library
Join Lisa Patterson, director of externships and Access to Justice initiatives, and the Office of Student Affairs for a creative Hobby Hour where Lisa shares one of her creative passions and invites our law community to connect through art, self-care, and encouragement.
This event is free. Supplies will be provided. All we need is you!
Featured Host: Lisa Patterson
Lisa is the Director of Externships and Access to Justice Initiatives, where she places students in for‑credit field placements with courts, government agencies, and legal services organizations—including opportunities through the UB Law NYC program. She also leads the accompanying seminar on professional development and administers the summer public interest fellowship program.
How She Got Started
Growing up in a home full of crafts, Lisa always loved making things, but she didn’t embrace painting until later in life. After trying local paint nights, she fell in love with watercolor and especially enjoys painting animals. She has created nearly four dozen pet portraits and donates one each year to B-PILP’s annual fundraiser. For her, painting is more than art—it’s portable meditation. There’s something magical about dropping color onto paper and seeing what unfolds.
Why She’s Excited to Share It
Lisa believes deeply in the importance of wellness and self‑care within the legal profession. Whatever helps students and lawyers recharge—art, running, music, anything—deserves space in their lives. She loves showing others that watercolor is approachable, relaxing, and full of creative possibilities. If someone discovers a moment of calm or joy in a simple brushstroke, she considers that a meaningful success.
Hobby Hour: Blankets for Hope with Audrey Grout
Wednesday, February 18th
Drop in any time between 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 6th Floor Law Library
Join Audrey, program coordinator for Clinical Legal Education, along with the Office of Student Affairs, the Family Violence and Women’s Rights Clinic and members of our law community, for a creative Hobby Hour centered on connection and service. Audrey will share one of her creative passions as participants come together to make fleece blankets to be donated to Haven House.
This event is free. Supplies will be provided. All we need is you!
Community & Care: Law Student Drop‑In
Wednesday, February 18th
Drop in any time between 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., 312 O'Brian Hall
Join us in a welcoming, judgment‑free space designed to help you pause, breathe, and de‑stress. This gathering will be mindful of Ramadan, and appropriate foods will be available for those who are breaking their fast.
Hobby Hour: Cross Stitching with Austin Waters
Wednesday, February 25th
Drop in any time between 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 6th Floor Law Library
Join Austin Waters, International Law Librarian, and the Office of Student Affairs for a creative Hobby Hour where Austin shares one of her creative passions—cross-stitching—and invites our law community to connect through creativity and conversation.
This event is free. Supplies will be provided. All we need is you!
Featured Host: Austin Waters
Austin serves as UB Law’s Foreign & International Law Librarian, where she supports international research and works closely with LLM and JSD students. She previously served as the Student Services Librarian, helping create a supportive and student‑centered library environment.
How She Got Started
A lifelong multi‑media artist, Austin began with oil and acrylic painting before discovering fiber arts through her grandmother. During quarantine, she taught herself cross-stitch and fell in love. She hopes to design her own patterns one day.
Why She’s Excited to Share It
For Austin, cross‑stitch became both a creative outlet and a reliable stress reliever during a challenging time. She believes it’s a perfect fit for the law school community—easy to learn, low‑pressure, and satisfying whether you have five minutes or an hour. She’s excited to offer students and colleagues a flexible, calming way to unwind and explore their creativity.
Mid-Semester Reset: Law Student Drop-In
Thursday, March 26th
Drop in any time between 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., 312 O'Brian Hall
Need a pause mid-semester? Swing by Mid-Semester Reset for grab-and-go subs and wraps designed to help law students recharge, decompress, and get back to it feeling a little more grounded.
Free Financial Coaching
An Accredited Financial Counselor® from AccessLex Institute® will be offering free, 30-minute, one-on-one financial coaching appointments.
Sample Coaching Questions:
- Should I pay off my student loan debt before saving for retirement?
- How do I pay for bar exam expenses?
- What is the difference between a credit report and a credit score?
- I’ve heard friends talking about a Roth IRA. I am not sure what it is, and should I invest in one?
- In order to gain Public Service Loan Forgiveness, do I have to work in public service for 10 years consecutively?
- I know that I should be creating a budget, but I am not sure how to start?
- What are my options for student loan repayment, and how do I determine which is best for me?
Join Us!
- Friday, April 10th. Details TBA.
Check out the programs and events taking place throughout the spring semester to promote health and wellness.
(Click on the red circles below to reveal the weekly activities.)
Taking Care Tuesdays: Mid Day Coffee / Tea Hour break with OSA Team
Drop in on Tuesdays between 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. in the Letro Courtroom. 1st Floor, O'Brian Hall to have coffee or tea, de-stress, spend time with members of the OSA team, and chat about any questions!
Ther-a-pet Wednesdays 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 the 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:
- Watch Baby Goat Cam, the National Zoo's Panda Cam, the Georgia Aquarium's Sea Otter Cam, or the San Diego Zoo's Hippo Cam.
- How about penguins or even an elephant cam!
- Have an animal at home, consider taking a short video and posting it to the Class Facebook/LinkedIn pages so we all can enjoy!
Self Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to tune in to your feelings, thoughts, and actions. Being self-aware also means being able to recognize how other people see you. People who are self-aware recognize their strengths and their challenges.
To learn more about self-awareness and its benefits, download our guide.
Pausing to reflect and truly feel appreciative for the simple things in your daily life is one of the most valuable practices you can do.
Want to learn more about mindfulness and meditation? Take a 4-week class from Koru Mindfulness to discover how you can benefit. Classes are free to *all* UB students. (Read more information)