Begin With a Mindset

Getting a head start on tasks is a great way to plan and track progress towards a goal. A strong start helps develop personal resilience, provides momentum to tackle unexpected challenges and can boost self-confidence. Especially in college when life circumstances change, you need an adaptive mind and growth mindset to thrive mentally, which means believing in your ability to grow and learn over time. Whether you are building the confidence to engage in community events or taking time to understand your personal needs, learning to appreciate yourself fully is one way to intrinsically fill your cup. 

Understand Your Needs 

Daily life on campus can change drastically throughout the semester, so it’s important to stay in tune with yourself and your needs. Dedicating time for yourself is an active practice of self-care and is essential to maintaining a shifting work-life balance. Some may find fulfillment by completing essential tasks and meeting deadlines, while others need a more spacious boundary between their personal and work life. Whatever fulfillment looks like for you, learning how to establish and express your boundaries with others can make defining balance and exploring your needs through self-care easier for you.  

Join a Mindful Community

Explore what fills your cup, or depletes it, in a group setting. Learning how to begin a valuable, emotion-oriented and purposeful discussion about your needs may be complex, but worthwhile. Being part of a mindful community offers the chance to learn how to have these conversations in a clear, sensitive and mindful manner with others who feel similar to you. Discussing your feelings and boundaries is a valuable practice that benefits you and those you speak with. If you are a student looking for support to navigate these difficult conversations, the Counseling Center offers a variety of group counseling opportunities based on specific needs. Faculty and staff can explore resources by topic through the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program.

Use Your Resources

Ask yourself: Who and what fills your cup, and how can you nurture that experience? Once you understand what fulfills you and who contributes to that fulfillment, be sure to explore activities that bring satisfaction to your life. The Wolfpack Wellness website provides a comprehensive list of resources for students, faculty and staff.