For this edition of the Strive to Thrive newsletter we wanted to give you an opportunity to hear from Rowan community members as they reflect on their experiences related to well-being. Some entries can offer you guidance as you reflect on your own well-being and others may offer you action steps to explore avenues to enhance your well-being. Perhaps we can also begin to think of ways to actively care for the well-being of the communities around us. Although we may strive to thrive, we also recognize many in the community are still struggling and potentially languishing as we approach the holidays. Please remember that Rowan has a number of opportunities to connect with others, participate in activities, find dining options, and engage with resources to support your well-being.
Thank you to those who have contributed to this edition and to all those who have contributed to past editions. Also of course thank you to you, our readers- we are grateful for you. We wish you a wonderful break to rest, reflect, and enjoy time with loved ones.
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As the holiday season approaches, many will begin to gather with their families, partners, friends, or chosen families to celebrate or practice traditions near and dear to their hearts. The power of these connections will provide ease, comfort, and peace after a long and trying year. Personally, I look forward to the end of the semester. Not because I have the chance to get some rest and catch up on my favorite shows, but because I have an opportunity to travel home and spend time with those who matter the most to me. I value and cherish the relationships and time spent with those who show me kindness and love.
Our social connections build who we are as humans. These connections make us feel like we belong or have purpose. The important people in our lives make us feel seen and valued. It is important that we are not critical of our own social well-being by comparing ourselves to others. Not everyone’s social well-being looks the same and that is perfectly okay. Reading this you may ask yourself; how can I practice healthy social well-being?
- Begin with self-reflecting and practicing self-care
- Make meaningful connections
- Surround yourself with a genuine support system
- Engage in activities that you love to participate in
- Set healthy boundaries with those around you
Continue to take care of yourself and be kind to someone in return!
-Kenold E. Gosier: Residential Learning & University Housing
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As I reflect on my past four years at Rowan University, I have truly found that it has become a home away from home. From the day I first stepped on campus at my student orientation to my friends-giving celebration this past weekend, my friends are truly what make Rowan so special to me. My friends have really helped me get through some tough times in my life, have pushed me to find the academic and career paths I enjoy, and discover new interests I would never have thought of on my own. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be vulnerable, to step out of your comfort zone, and most importantly to be yourself. This is how I have created lifelong friendships which serves as the justification I need to get through each week, no matter how much school or extracurricular work I have.
-Matthew Beck: Student Government Association
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I’ve always considered myself an extrovert. Interacting with others is pretty much the highlight of my day whether it be family, friends, or sometimes strangers. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve watched myself slowly become increasingly anti-social. I admit, it was partially nice to spend time secluded in my room listening to music, catching up on anime, and having “me” time. Through this seclusion I found myself spending more time on social media, bringing my average screen time to 9 -11 hours a day compared to my usual 4 or 5.
Now this is personal preference, but I realized I was genuinely happier and noticed myself being more social the less time I spent on social media. I started by setting screen limits on those apps, and made plans with people rather than just liking their pictures and videos. Resocializing starts with taking strides towards stepping out of your comfort zone such as asking that person you game with to lunch or talking to your peers outside of class. The possibilities and opportunities to socialize are endless. More importantly, don’t overthink it and don’t worry about feeling awkward or out of touch...we’re all faking it!
-Jocelyn Reuben: Black Cultural League (BCL) & New Life Ministry
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This year has been tough. It left many of my friends, family, students and colleagues feeling lost, overwhelmed, helpless and hopeless. There has not been enough acknowledgment of the collective and individual traumas we’ve experienced. In addition to pandemic fatigue, isolation, and loss, many are also feeling the effects of racial battle fatigue.
I often hear, “These problems are so much bigger than me. It’s too much.” It is within our own communities, though, where I find the safety and security to rest and recuperate and regain my stamina and motivation. Rather than feeling overwhelmed and helpless, I encourage all of us to use this year as fuel for our hope and our efforts in connecting with others. None of us are alone. We must intentionally cultivate spaces for each other where we feel seen and heard, valued and appreciated. I am grateful for our communities at Rowan where I feel this support and encouragement!
-Mary Duggan: Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine
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Getting to work with The SHOP Pantry & Resource Center has been one of the most fulfilling opportunities I have had in my time at Rowan. Especially over the last year and a half when food insecurities and basic needs have increased, The SHOP has helped me to grow in my understanding of community well-being. I have come to value the two-sided nature of living in community.
For us all to be well, we need to be both supported by and supportive of our community. The SHOP, the Fresh For All market, and our community of volunteers have continuously showed how Profs can support others while also taking heart in knowing that there is a community of support there for them as well – to be both supportive AND supported.
-Dr. Andrew Perrone: Volunteerism & Community Engagement
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As we enter this season of gratitude, I find myself reflecting on the highlights of my year- but more importantly who made these special moments possible. The memories that rise above others are truly ones that I had no part in, except being fortunate enough to witness them. Smiling at old friends reuniting after a long year at Homecoming, watching students bravely take chances and grow into phenomenal leaders, seeing colleagues embracing each other after meeting for the first time in-person after connecting virtually for many months. The more I think about the good that happened this year, the more I realize that these Profs that make up our Rowan community are the good things. I am grateful to call myself a Prof and stand alongside those who make our community a place where people want to be. Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season!
-Carly Samuels: Office of Alumni Engagement
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While the past year unfolded in ways I could have never imagined, I must be thankful for the lessons and opportunities it provided. One of my proudest accomplishments is expanding my understanding of well-being. Growing up as a dancer, studying Kinesiology in undergrad, and working as a fitness professional for the past several years has taught me the importance of physical well-being. However, it was not until this past year that I truly came to understand that physical well-being is only one piece of the puzzle. While moving my body is still an important part of my self-care routine, this past year has taught me to focus on other aspects of my well-being, too. Rather than sticking to a strict workout schedule, I listen to my body and rest when I need it. Some days it’s more valuable to call a friend, take a nap, or journal about gratitude.
-Julie Mengle: Graduate Coordinator - Campus Recreation
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As a former collegiate field hockey athlete, I have always taken my physical well-being for granted and associated my physical health with playing a sport. Becoming a mother of four, I spent time taking care of my physical health through running. While training for my 5th marathon in fall 2019, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with thyroid cancer five weeks before the race. I was able to run the marathon and two days later received a thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine treatment. These were trying times for me, as I had never experienced so much fatigue and lack of strength. I now understand that I was learning the true physical strength of my body. I now have much more grace and self-compassion through incorporating self-care modalities to enhance my overall well-being. My well-being requires a balance of physical health, mental health, and emotional health practiced daily.
-Dr. Joanne Bullard: Health & Exercise Science
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The past eighteen months have been challenging times for physical well-being. The fear and anxiety of the pandemic made us turn inward. Social, physical, and emotional distancing made us stand still. I am finding that it takes tremendous focus to return to the most fundamental forms of physical self-care: to move and to breathe. I started going back to the gym this fall. The intention, the exertion, the sensation of paying attention to muscles and joints and lungs, after being afraid to feel anything for so long, has been amazing. I am reminded that giving myself permission and having the courage to devote time and energy to my physical well-being is critically important.
-Dr. Roberta Harvey: Academic Affairs
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The past few months have been a significant adjustment from the socially distant world we have grown accustomed to. Following the peak of a pandemic, we must recognize that our own peers, professors, advisors, and faculty are all trying to navigate a transition period of uncertainty. This has brought along an even greater need to focus on our mental and physical well being. Sitting on the Student Government Association executive board as the Assistant VP for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I am committed to helping our Rowan community traverse through not just this tough transition period, but through many other varying concerns that are brought to my attention.
However, being a student leader does not exclude me from needing to focus on my well being too. Currently, I block out a chunk of time to play on Rowan’s Club Ultimate Frisbee Team as well as play in Rowan Campus Rec's intramural handball tournament on a team with my friends. Those nights, no matter how stressful of a day I encountered, I am solely focused on releasing that stress through an enjoyable activity. I encourage everyone to get involved and to attend the multitude of events that Rowan offers. Many sophomores, including the freshman, are walking through campus for the first time. It’s new, it’s exciting, but it’s also scary. Find those activities, find those events, and find those people that positively impact your well being during these high stress times.
-Alex Butler: Student Government Association
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The last few years have taught me that we all are working through some type of hardship; I learned that for myself the best way to deal with these difficulties was to build my own self-care toolbox to develop resilience. I’ve also learned that just because I may feel like I am thriving one day something may knock me down the next, so not only is daily self-care important, it’s essential.
I found that learning various types of holistic healing modalities and participating in my own experiential learning in areas such as yoga, reiki, and qigong has helped me become aware of immediate tricks I can use to reset myself. When your mind is clear, you are more likely to have a positive mindset.
- Grounding with senses/nature
- Energy work
- Visualization
- Meditation
- Pulling self-reflection/oracle card
- Aromatherapy/color therapy
Personal development and self-care has also helped me direct my professional development towards a holistic advising approach which I have really become passionate about.
-Alicia Groatman: University Academic Center
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To maintain one’s emotional well-being, one needs to view the practice holistically. I don’t think this comes as a surprise, but this past year and a half has been, well, difficult. Pandemic. Quarantine. Racial injustice. Political changes. Grief and loss. Rise in mental health concerns. Virtual learning. Virtual hangouts. Transition after transition, after transition. All of this on top of our individual and personal worries. So emotional well-being??? We NEED that.
Some recommendations to holistically manage our emotional well-being:
1. Invest into social connectedness. Reach out to your supports daily.
2. Invest into your hobbies and/or learn something new. Feed the intellectual part of you.
3. Exercise. It increases the firing rates of serotonin!
4. Read for pleasure!
5. Mindfulness. Learning to be present.
6. Being okay with not being okay at times. No one is expecting us to be perfect, so neither should we.
-Gabe Aquino: Wellness Center
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A Meditation Moment
This time of the year is marked by hustle and bustle and the ebb and flow of emotions that hopefully settles into cherished moments of joy, peace, and promise. Know that you matter and indeed are a gift to this world. So… BREATHE. Take stock in your own beauty, remembering that beauty radiates brilliantly from the inside out. Identify your sanctuary space. This can either be a physical location or a favorite snapshot of your life that you can visualize. BREATHE… This is safe space for you, own it. As you exhale your negative energy, inhale goodness, positivity, and purpose, reminding yourself that you matter and that you are beautiful.
I encourage you to try this meditation moment. Wellness, to me, starts with self-care and balance. Mindfully unplugging from the stress and fatigue an instance or circumstance brings in order to usher in positive vibes inspires hope and growth. I have been practicing this meditation for years. To quiet one’s mind takes work. To mindfully exhale polluted thoughts and fatigue and breathe in light and love takes practice. Invest in yourself. We deserve meditation moments because we matter. I welcome you to meditate with me and take good care yourself. Let your light shine!
-Dr. Alicia Monroe: Office of Career Advancement
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Our finances greatly contribute to feeling secure, healthy, and happy. Personally, I know this is true because of my own anxieties related to finding a job during college. I was living away from home for the first time, finding it difficult to manage the expenses of going to school. My on-campus job as an evening maintenance dispatcher became a lifeline for me because of the financial assistance it provided and because it taught me how to save, plan, and allocate funds when problems arose. This past year, I remembered my time as a maintenance dispatcher when my home needed repairs after a storm. It is amazing how some of the skills we learn in college, even outside of the traditional classroom, help us when crises and problems develop later in life. We never know what experiences-even difficult at the time- will give us those skills.
-Dr. Alison Novak: Public Relations & Advertising
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My parents immigrated to America to create a better life for themselves and their family. They taught me how to save money to achieve my future goals because they saw how their financial worries impacted other facets of their life. I am grateful for their sacrifices and use that gratitude as motivation to help others.
During my time at Rowan, I have seen our community come together for those in need. We have so many wonderful programs such as the Affordability Task Force, the SHOP, Fresh for All, and food/clothes drives. If you’re a student in need, please seek out these opportunities. They were created to help you during your time at Rowan so you can focus on achieving your goals! If you can donate or serve, I challenge you to take some time out of your busy day and do so. With gratitude in our hearts, we can help our community continue to thrive.
-Melissa Meireles: Information Resources and Technology (IRT)
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As the holidays approach I always find myself feeling conflicted with buying more stuff as gifts for my family and friends. You are never sure if it will actually be used and then my money was not well spent. A tradition that I have begun that I plan to continue, as I struggle again this year, is to treat people to events. This is a way to show that you care and it can be as simple as giving the gift of your time. Plan a night out, a hike with friend or other event that you can afford. Many people like to engage, but just do not like to plan. I try not to be swayed by the commercialization of the holidays to purchase that "new, cool thing" and instead, give a heart that can also save money!
-Dr. Bonnie Angelone: Psychology
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Have you read the poem “Don’t Quit”? The version I have is by John Greenleaf Whittier. I first read this poem during my sophomore year in a poetry class. It was during a time where I was thinking about quitting school. I was a first- generation student, had terrible grades, and was questioning my future career path. I found that poem at a pivotal moment as it helped me define my purpose. I realized I wanted to help other students succeed and I needed a college degree to make that happen. I still have a copy of the poem and return to it often as a reminder to return to my purpose. For me, purpose is student success. From orientation to commencement, seeing students thrive brings me great joy. It keeps me motivated and excited to be at Rowan University. As the poem states, “rest if you must, but don’t you quit”.
-Dr. Beth Rey: University Advising Center
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I can’t help think of my own college experience and how impactful engagement in campus life had on my growth and success as a student. At the time this involvement in clubs and organizations, Greek Life, and student employment allowed me to “learn by doing”, and this learning was remarkably different from the equally critical knowledge I received in the classroom. This type of hands-on experiences of being a leader in my fraternity, a Student Center building manager, or orientation leader allowed me to become more analytical, reflective, confident, and learn from consequences of my actions, mistakes, and successes. It’s not uncommon for us to have a tendency to give stronger consideration to payoffs that are closer to the present time instead of a larger one at a later time. This relates to the activities that I choose to attend, the organizations which I joined, and the people I choose to associate. While college was one of the best times of my life, I always ensured that a momentary lapse in judgement did not distract me from my long-term goals.
-Dr. Joe Lizza: Student Center & Campus Activities
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“The Strive to Thrive newsletter intends to bring you well-being ideas, tips, events, information and ways to connect through all dimensions of well-being (physical, social, emotional, purpose, community, and financial). We hope that this layout reminds you of all of the many ways to nourish, attend to, and elevate your well-being and the well-being of those around you.” |
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