FSU Honors Program Newsletter, Issue #26- September 2020

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

HONORS

ISSUE #26 September 2020

Publication by the Honors Student Association

Contents Contents

3 5 6 8

Monthly Welcome Upcoming Events

Fighting Zoom Fatigue Staying Connected During Covid-19 10 How HSA Students Destress 12 Student Spotlight 13 Staff Spotlight

14 Mental Health Resources 15 Student Submissions 19 Dorm Room Recipe

MONTHLY WELCOME Dear Honors Students,

My name is Natasha Peet, and I am the current Mental Health Ambassador for the Honors Student Association. I know you all have probably heard the phrase “unprecedented times” way more than you ever would have imagined or wanted during these past few months. I am sorry to repeat it, but I really do hope you all are staying safe and well during these unprecedented times. When the pandemic started and we were told to stay home for an additional two weeks after spring break, I don’t think any of us would have imagined that we’d be in that same place six months later. Yet here we are and although we have had to adapt to a life with COVID-19, that doesn’t mean it has been easy.

I am fortunate enough to have not been severely impacted by the COVID pandemic, but I know this has not been the case for many. The hardships that many of you have been through over these past months is unimaginable, and I hope that you all are finding ways to heal or cope with what you have gone through and are continuing to go through. Placing an emphasis on your mental health is of paramount importance now, and I would like to stress to you all that you have an amazing support system here at Florida State. The University Counseling Center (https://counseling.fsu.edu/) offers weekly and monthly workshops, individual and group counseling services, and interactive self-help therapy. The Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness (https://chaw.fsu.edu/services/wellness-coaching) has individual wellness coaching. Noles C.A.R.E (https://nolescare.fsu.edu/) is a suicide prevention program that provides suicide prevention training, education, and resources for the FSU community.

Some student-based organizations include Renew, NAMI, Healthy Noles, and The Body Project (https://healthycampus.fsu.edu/). All of these groups operate under the University Counseling Center and allow students to become directly involved in mental health advocacy on campus. These are just a few of the many resources here on campus.

As I said before, many of us have never experienced anything like what we are going through right now. The stress of online college in the midst of a pandemic is not a normal thing to have to navigate. Throughout this school semester, remember to give yourself credit for all you have been through and acknowledge it’s okay for things to be hard sometimes. Know you are not alone and reach out if you need help. Do things that make you feel better and take any time you need for yourself. We hope this edition of the newsletter will reinforce these ideas and stress the importance of taking care of your mental well-being. Feel free to reach out to me at any time I am more than willing to help anyone who needs advice, tips, or just to talk. We are all here for you and will get through this together.

Best, Natasha

UPCOMING EVENTS

ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE PUBLIC DISCOURSE SEPT 29 VIA ZOOM 12:30-1:45PM

A Sustainable Public Discourse Course Event Zoom Meeting ID: 910 4200 5491 This conversation will surround the effects of fracking, pipelines, and offshore drilling on regional and cultural groups.

VIRTUAL Q&A WITH HSF ALUMNI ALEXA KELLY '16 OCT 14 VIA ZOOM 2:00-3:00PM

A Friends of HSF Alumni Speaker Series Event Zoom Registration Link available on HSA's website The topics of this Q&A will surround balancing entrepreneurship and graduate school. If you are interested in attending, be sure to submit your questions for Alexa virtually!

(Link: http://bit.ly/AlexaQuestions

DEADLINE: FALL 2020 HONORS IN THE MAJOR PROSPECTUS DUE OCT 9 AT 4:30PM

FIGHTING ZOOM FATIGUE

Tips to Beat the Zoom Zs 1. Avoid Multi-Tasking Trying to work on homework for physics while you’re sitting in biology might be tempting and seem efficient, but it can make you lose energy faster.

You’re more likely to retain information from one class if you stay focused and treat it as if you were in person.

HUSTLE HUSTLE

2. Take Intentional Breaks

just e h t brea

Closing zoom and opening TikTok might seem tempting, but giving your brain a break from all that technology might be more helpful! Use your time in between classes for a screenless breather, a walk, or a snack.

3. Hide Self View Looking at your beautiful self is only fun for a couple classes a day, as we have all figured out. If you’re in a class with your video on, required or otherwise, it might be helpful to hide self-view and only look at your classmates and professor! Just right click your video and click options, select “hide myself”, and get refocused into your class.

FEELIN' CUTE 4. Change up Your Platform

If you have multiple meetings, students organizations, classes, and kick-backs happening all on zoom, the same format can be monotonous. Try integrating other platforms like microsoft teams, google hangouts, or even the basic facetime to give yourself variety!

5. Get Outside!

Luckily for us, fall is here! Take a blanket and sweater out to the green and try your class in a new environment. If this doesn’t seem conducive to your classes, make sure to still get some fresh air after your classes finish for the day.

Staying connected during covid-19 ARE YOU FINDING YOURSELF FEELING LONELY IN YOUR DORM, APARTMENT, OR HOUSE? HERE ARE SOME SOCIALLY DISTANT WAYS TO INTERACT WITH OTHERS: 01

SCHEDULE A VIDEO CHAT DATE WITH FRIENDS Your friends are going through the same thing as you, and they likely want some social interaction too!

Scheduling a video chat date with your friends is just like scheduling a hang out in person. You can watch a movie over Netflix Party, have a game night, or just talk with each other.

02

GO/EXERCISE OUTSIDE WITH A PARTNER Going outside in the fresh air is good in itself. Make it even more beneficial by inviting a friend to go along with you and turning it into an exercise session.

03

START A BOOK/MOVIE CLUB Pick a book or movie to watch every other week then set up a m e e t i n g o r g r o u p m e s s a g e to discuss with friends. This is a n i c e w a y t o t a k e s o m e f r e e ti m e to pick a book or movie you like and have meaningful conversation about it.

04

JOIN A CLUB FSU has clubs for just about anything. While things look d i f f e r e n t f o r t h e m h a v i n g t o s h i ft t o o n l i n e o r h a v e s o c i a l l y d i s ta n t meetings, many FSU clubs are still up and running and they are a great way to interact with others and find people with similar interests.

05

CHECK FSU WEEKLY NEWSLETTER You should get an email every week with a list of events and news for the school. These emails include information a b o u t c a r e e r f a i r s , g y m e v e n ts , clothes events, and many more things. Check the FSU Honors Instagram for information about events we put on as well!

how HSA students

DESTRESS:

Karyna B

Abby E

Alyssa A

Ana B

Abbie W

Grace R

Alyssa H

Callista P

Spending time on a hobby that you enjoy can help improve your mental health and relieve stress. Spending time outside, reading, cooking, drawing, knitting, collecting plants, watching films, and making bassoon reeds are just a few of the ways that our students prioritize their wellbeing!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Victo r i a P o t t e r

A senior at FSU majoring in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience

WHAT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I am currently involved in RENEW (Realizing Everyone’s Need for Emotional Wellness), Phi Delta Epsilon, which is the co-ed premedical fraternity, and Dance Marathon. I serve as the Dance Marathon delegate for my fraternity and am also a second-year Honors Colloquium Leader. Off campus, I am a registered EMT in two states.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS THAT YOU LIKE BEING INVOLVED IN THE RENEW PROGRAM AT FSU? I have been with RENEW for over 2 years now, and it’s a very special program to me. I have made many lifetime friends there, some of the kindest and most heartfelt people in the world. The kind of people who will ask how you’re doing and genuinely want to celebrate your highs and mourn your lows with you. I am also very proud of the work I’ve been able to do with RENEW. My favorite event that we host every year is Fresh Check Day. It’s a event where students check-in with their mental health and we have multiple booths where students can talk about mental health, learn how to recognize warning signs in others, and even do art therapy. Last year, I manned the Tree of Life booth, where students wrote reasons to stay alive on little paper leaves and pinned them on the Tree of Life. It was incredibly beautiful to see the love and heart that people wrote and feel the gratitude that radiated from the tree. RENEW has always been such a safe space for me and for everyone involved, and I’m lucky to be there.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH THAT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED? My recent mantra has been: Your worth is not determined by your productivity. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in school and feeling like we are defined by our grades, but that is simply not true. No one is defined by their GPA, or the number of years it takes them to graduate, or if they graduate at all. We are all inherently worthy human beings who were made to give and receive love, not limited by our productivity or monetary value. Everyone has worth and I think the world needs reminders of that every now and then.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE STUDENTS TO KNOW ABOUT RENEW? RENEW is unique to FSU. It is a program for students where they can have free, confidential one-on-one sessions with RENEW Peer Mentors. It takes the pressure off talking to an older counselor who may not understand exactly what you’re going through or how hard that one class is. Talking with peers makes the process much easier and allows students to open up and feel more relaxed.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Y v o n n e L a n g don-Maduekwe ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR OUTREACH LIAISON TO C.A.R.E. LIAISON TO FSUPD WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN UCC? I am one of the assistant directors and the director of outreach services. Outreach is split up into a couple different areas: Nole C.A.R.E., which focuses on suicide prevention, groups which provide services to underrepresented populations, RENEW, which is the peer education arm in which students that do programming and one-on-one instructional sessions on time management, stress management, study skills, relationships, and self esteem, preventative programming as well as presentations for the FSU community.

HOW HAS THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECTED THE UCC’S PROCEDURES? The biggest impact that COVID-19 has placed on the mental health services that the Counseling Center provides is the move to a virtual format. All sessions are held virtually whether it is the initial point of contact, individual therapy, or group therapy. All are those are done through a HIPAA-compliant version of Zoom to protect the students’ confidentiality. We offer the same services, and are open for the same exact hours (Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4PM), and still have after-hours services available after 4 PM. Students may come into the Counseling Center for a walk in if they don’t have a private space; They can utilize our virtual walk in spaces and be able to have their virtual therapy session privately.

WILL THESE PROGRAMS CONTINUE AFTER THE PANDEMIC? Yes. As long as students continue to tell us that virtual programs are helpful and valuable for them, these programs absolutely will continue.

WHAT WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AS THE NEW NORMAL? The pandemic is forcing all university departments to become more adept at social media, so my hope is that students will connect more in that way. Most people think of mental health when they’re in need of an intervention, but I really want mental health to have more preventative measures. The students are interacting with us through the virtual programming due to COVID-19, and I want that to become the new normal. I don’t want students to get to a place where they’re so stressed out that they need therapy. There will always be a place for therapy, but the more we can give students the basic tools and skills to manage stress, they will be healthier, happier, and perform better academically.

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS AND ANXIETY? A lot of what students are struggling with in response to COVID-19 is loss of connection. Everything used to be faceto-face, but now there’s a lot more social isolation, lack of motivation to complete assignments. Typically, the first thing to fall apart is self care, and that’s where we encourage students to start. Making sure students are getting their regular sleep, eating a nutritious diet, exercise, and maintain as much normalcy as possible. Even if you’re exercising, it might look different due to limited resources and but to still engage in those activities and connect a bit differently.

The goal of connection is finding a way to decrease loneliness and the stress that comes with it. Connection helps fight depression and anxiety, so really what we are trying to do is encourage students to connect, whether that’s through social media, over the phone, writing letters, apps, play games, and similar ways. Moreover, the UCC has offered more outreach services than ever before. Over summer, we had a couple drop-in workshops students could attend. One was called Bored in the House, which focused on social isolation, and another was called Where’s My Motivation? in response to COVID-19 and other events in the world. We have other programs as well, and we chose to vary the time and dates so that we could make them as accessible to students’ and their schedules as possible.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES Asking for help is never a bad thing.

24/7 HOTLINE: (850 ) 644-TALK FSU POLI C E DEPARTMENT: (850 ) 644-1234 24-HOUR C RISIS HELP LINE: 1-877-211-7005 TO SEE A C OUNSELOR, VISIT THE UNIVERSITY C OUNSELING C ENTER ON THE SE C OND FLOOR OF ASKEW STUDENT LIFE C ENTER, SUITE 201 BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 4:00 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FOR A BRIEF WALK IN SESSION. KNOWMORE.FSU.EDU WELLTRA C K APP Visit https://counseling.fsu.edu/students/self-help/resources for a full list of FSU approved resources.

STUDENT SUBMISSION:

Mind Like a Bookshelf

By Anna DeJonge

Four books a week, it used to be Now I’m lucky if I can find the energy for a few pages. A full bookshelf sits in the corner. But full is too empty a word— it’s overflowing. Manic days buy books that depressed days can’t finish. I color-coordinate, I try judging books by their covers, in the hopes that it will shake loose the inspiration I once had. The wind ruffles pages faster than my fingers can.

The books might as well be blank.

There’s a heaping pile of books in the corner, spines to me like children in time out. The bookshelf is just a things-shelf now, like a junk drawer, like a toy box after a child’s grown too old to play. A candle, a lamp, a plant, some pills. These all get more attention than the things for which the shelf was named. There’s an overflowing bookshelf in the corner, and I’m drowning in my desire to read. New books, the hardcover kind that cost extra. Maybe that will get me to read.

Sleep, I’m so tired. Maybe that will get me to read. I’ll carry one in my purse, just in case.

“Read at night,” mom suggests. “Read yourself to sleep.” But books are not the sleeping pills I need—they’re not strong enough. I’ll use books as my pillows, let the story seep in. The smell of old pages will stick to my hair, and when I awake I will read.

STUDENT SUBMISSION

BY CAITLIN DIAMOND

HURRICANE SEASON A student submission by Harley Preston

Why do I feel adrenaline, rather than fear Why am I excited by these things that could tear me and everything I love apart?

The winds rage on and the darkness surrounds me, yet I remain undaunted.

The storms come and go every season, bringing ruin that would send others into hysteria.

But I push on, right into the eye of the storm.

I let the rain and the waves engulf me, because then at least I feel something.

Something truly powerful.

DO YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED IN THE HSA NEWSLETTER? Submit your original research, photography, poetry, short stories, or visual art to be featured in the HSA Newsletter! Examples of acceptable genres are poetry, short stories, research, visual art, or photography, but any student work is welcome.

Current Honors students should send creative writing, research, photography, or art submissions to HSAeboard19@gmail.comÂ

DORM ROOM RECIPES C H E F : A N G I E R A M I R E Z L I T T L E I N S P I R A T I O N . C O M I N S T A G R A M : @ B L O G A L I

MEXICAN CORN IN A CUP INGREDIENTS: 1 CUP WHOLE KERNEL CANNED CORN) 1 TABLESPOON BUTTER 1/2 CUP MAYONNAISE 2 TABLESPOONS LIME JUICE 1/4 CUP QUESO FRESCO OR QUESO COJITA SALT CHILI POWDER ANY SEASONINGS OR GARNISHES YOU'D LIKE TO ADD

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. PLACE THE CORN AND BUTTER IN A MICROWAVABLE BOWL OR MUG AND HEAT ON HIGH FOR 1 TO 2 MINUTES, OR UNTIL THE BUTTER IS SOFT ENOUGH TO EASILY MIX INTO THE CORN, AND THE CORN IS WARMED THROUGH. DO NOT OVERHEAT THE BUTTER. 2. MIX THE MAYONNAISE AND LIME JUICE INTO THE CORN AND BUTTER. 3. SPRINKLE THE QUESO FRESCO (OR FETA CHEESE) ON TOP OF THE CORN MIXTURE. 4. SEASON WITH CHILI POWDER AND SALT. 5. SERVE IN THE SMALL BOWL THAT YOU MICROWAVED THE CORN IN,

CALLING ALL HONORS STUDENTS:

FOLLOW HSA ON SOCIAL MEDIA! FACEBOOK: "FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM" INSTAGRAM: @FSUHONORS TWITTER: @HSA_FSU

Editor-in-Chief: Lillie Brody Content: Karyna Bugos Jennifer Lamont