“That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.” - Doris Lessing

This month, we’re excited to welcome both new and returning students to campus. Whether you’re just beginning your program or entering your final year, the Office of Student Support is here to support your success and well-being. Be sure to stop by our new space in Ross 202! Join us for an Open House on Thursday, 8/28, or drop in to say hi anytime. 

To schedule a virtual or in-person meeting, contact our office at SMHSstudents@gwu.edu.

In this edition of the newsletter, you can find the following:

The start of the semester is an excellent time to reflect on the learning strategies you have successfully been implementing, those you want to try, and also those that could use improvement or more consistent use.

To support your academic success, we highly recommend exploring the six research-backed study strategies featured. We encourage you to then use this Rose, Bud, Thorn Evaluation Tool to help you identify what strategies have worked well for you and also the changes you may want to make in your academic development in the new academic year. Each strategy is explained in a green box, complete with example activities to help you evaluate your implementation of the strategy and how to apply them effectively. The learning strategies include:

You are always welcome to stop by our office or schedule a meeting with Terri Edwards, the Learning Specialist, to discuss how you can best implement these strategies. 

Keys to Success from SMHS Students

The Office of Student Support is seeking brief advice submissions from current students to feature on our Instagram page and in the September edition of our newsletter. We're asking students to share what they’ve found most helpful for succeeding in their program specifically - whether it’s a strategy, mindset, or go-to resource. Click the button above to share your advice!

Examples include:

- Review as you learn new material

- Take brain breaks when studying

- Start doing board-style questions early

CV Support: We have a dedicated faculty advisor with whom you can schedule appointments to review and revise your CV. To schedule an appointment, email OSS  with your request and attach any resume or CV documents you may have. If you have never created a CV before, we are happy to work with you and share our template.

Learning Support: Our dedicated learning specialist, Terri Edwards, is available to meet with students to discuss active learning strategies, study strategies and scheduling, test taking strategies, and more. To book an appointment with her, please use her Calendly link.

Peer Tutoring: If you would like to work with a peer tutor, email OSS to learn more about peer-led academic support. 

Small Study Groups: Consider adding small group studying into your academic schedule. OSS assigns students to a study group of 2-5 students; the sessions are facilitated by a student who commits to that role. Groups may choose to meet in person or virtually. Contact OSS for more information to be a facilitator or participant.

Writing Coach: Coaching sessions help students build their writing confidence and develop vital writing skills for writing assignments, personal statements, and professional writing. To receive a referral to the writing coach, please email OSS directly.    

We’ve Moved! 🎉
Come celebrate with us at our Open House on Thursday, August 28th from 11am - 4pm on the 2nd floor of Ross Hall!

Stop by our new space to say hello and enjoy:
🍿 Popcorn
🎁 Giveaways
🎯 Games

Meet the teams from the Health Sciences and MD programs:

MD Student Affairs

Office of Student Support

Office of Student Professional Enrichment

MD Registrar’s Office

Office of Diversity and Inclusion

MD Dean’s Office

We can’t wait to welcome you to our new home!

Join the Student Wellness Committee for free ice cream, fun games, and a chance to meet new people in SMHS.

All SMHS students are welcome; we’d love to see you there!

Thank you to all who participated in the Simple Joys July Bingo! Check out the collage above, featuring photos submitted by students capturing their small joys. We hope these activities helped you to slow down and appreciate the little joys in your life. As the semester picks up and we settle back into our routines, it can be easy to lose sight of these little joys. Remember to stop and soak up your surroundings every once in a while!

🎉Congrats to our raffle winner: Kaylee Fisher!

Missed this bingo? Stay up to date by following us on Instagram @gwoss so you won't miss the next one!

Thank you to those of you who submitted a DMV recommendation! We received an overwhelming amount of engagement, which resulted in an extensive Navigating the DMV Guide. Click the button above to access the guide. If you have any additional recommendations, or missed our first call for submissions, don't worry! We will continue accepting submissions, and the guide will continue to be updated.

Click the button below to submit a recommendation.

The GroW Community Garden is looking for volunteers who can help out during gardening hours. The garden is located right behind the SMHS building and garden hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm and Sundays 8-10am. You can register for a shift clicking the button above or the QR code on the flyer. Come join us for some time in the sun and help grow produce that will be donated to Miriam's Kitchen!

The GW SMHS Recipe Book is available for you to view! Click the button above to access it. We will continue adding to the recipe book and updating it each month with the release of our monthly newsletter. Please submit your favorite recipes below so this project can continue to grow!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Have a go-to meal that gets you through tough weeks? A favorite dish that always brings comfort? Share it with your fellow students in the first-ever SMHS Community Recipe Book! We’re collecting recipes from students across SMHS to create a digital recipe book filled with quick bites, hearty meals, tasty desserts, and more!

*Recipes do not have to be entirely your own; feel free to submit links to recipes you have found online that have become a favorite!

August seasonal produce includes: apples, blackberries, carrots, chives, corn, onions, summer squash, and more!

For this month's seasonal recipe, try out this Summer Squash & Peaches Pesto Flatbread recipe! The recipe includes chicken sausage, which you can replace with the protein of your choice.

Summer Restaurant Week - 8/18 - 8/24: Offering 3-course menus for Brunch, Lunch, & Dinner plus cocktail & wine pairings at some locations. Browse participating locations, menus, and book your tables at the link above! Check back often, new restaurants are joining the promotion daily.

Opera in the Outfield: Porgy and Bess - 8/23: The Washington National Opera’s annual FREE broadcast at Nationals Park features the company’s acclaimed production of the classic Porgy and Bess. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. so families can file in and find a comfortable spot on the field to take in the show. Crafts, balloon twisters and live entertainment will be available. Slopera! A Bite-Sized Opera serves as an appetizer at 5:30.

Summer Evenings at the U.S. National Arboretum - Through 8/30: Thanks to the nonprofit Friends of the National Arboretum, the 451-acre park will stay open until 8 p.m. (three hours past regular closing time) giving visitors the chance to experience one of DC’s most picturesque destinations in a new light. This limited-time opportunity invites you to picnic, walk or bike after hours, catch golden-hour views of the Capitol Columns and enjoy special events throughout the summer.

Student Wellness Committee:

"The Wellness Committee is a group of elected students from all programs within the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences with a passion for promoting wellness in our community. We believe that as students who are training to become healthcare providers, it is critical that we learn to care for ourselves by nurturing our own personal health and wellness, as we strive to care for others. This committee seeks to promote wellness by organizing events and initiatives that enhance student wellbeing and strengthen relationships within our programs. We consider many dimensions of wellness and work with the Office for Student Support (OSS) to ensure accessibility to resources and safe spaces, as well as provide events like movie nights, picnics, cookie decorating, therapy dogs, and other initiatives to promote connectivity and healthy habits." - Student Wellness Committee Leadership

For information on how to join the Student Wellness Committee, or to send suggestions/ideas for wellness events, please send them an email.

SMHS Student - Parent Support Network

The Office of Student Support (OSS) is excited to announce an initiative aimed at connecting student-parents across SMHS. We recognize that balancing academic responsibilities with parenting can be challenging, and we want to offer a supportive network to help navigate these demands. By filling out a short google form, you will have the opportunity to receive contact information for other student-parents who are also interested in joining this network. Click here to fill out the form.

Student Organizations: Interested in joining one of the 80+ student organizations SMHS has to offer? You can find a full list of them here, updated every semester.

Want to start your own organization? The Medical Center Student Council provides guidance on the process on their website, with enrollment periods open twice a year.

Now is the perfect time to focus on your mental health and set yourself up for a strong start to the semester. Whether you’re looking to begin therapy while your schedule is more flexible, or you want to get set up before things get busy, now is a great time to register for Talkspace. Don’t wait until stress builds - start therapy now, and head into the semester with healthy routines and a clear head. Register today!

If you signed up for Talkspace at this time last year, it may be time to revalidate your account!

After 12 months of using the platform, you will need to revalidate your account. You should receive notification 21 days and 7 days before your renewal deadline. Please follow this guide to help you revalidate. If you are unable to revalidate before your deadline, please reach out to Talkspace Partner Support using their Help Desk form (click the button below) to be revalidated and request to continue with your current therapist.

Talkspace: As educators of our future healthcare professionals, we know how important mental health is and are pleased to offer all SMHS students a free subscription to Talkspace. Talkspace offers unlimited text messaging and four 30-minute video sessions a month with a licensed therapist and is a convenient, clinically effective, and confidential service. You will be matched with a therapist that suits you and your needs via a special algorithm. To register, go to www.talkspace.com/gwu and click "Get Started." You will then be asked to input your contact information and the organization keyword that corresponds with your SMHS program. Keywords include: GWU-MEDSTU (MD students), GWU-HEALTHSCI (Health Sciences students), and GWU-MEDRES (Medical Residents). 

Please note that after 12 months of using the platform, you will need to revalidate your account. You should receive notification 21 days and 7 days before your renewal deadline. Please follow this guide to help you revalidate. If you are unable to revalidate before your deadline, please reach out to Talkspace Partner Support using their Help Desk (click the button below) to be revalidated and request to continue with your current therapist.

Students who experience difficulty registering or revalidating should contact Alex Velto (alex.velto@gwu.edu).

Student Health Center:  The Student Health Center (formally CHC) is open and operating to assist students seeking medical, psychiatric, counseling, and psychological services. Physicians and counselors provide in-person treatment in the office, and virtual appointments are offered during regular business hours. Call 202-994-5300 to schedule an appointment.  

Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (ET); extended hours until 7pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Saturday: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm

Sunday: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm on the Mount Vernon Campus

Resiliency and Well-Being Center: OSS frequently collaborates with the GW RW&C on matters related to individual and group well-being. The R&W Center takes an evidence-based, whole-person approach in the health and wellness (well-being) services it provides to the GW medical enterprise—SMHS, GW MFA, and the GW Hospital.  The R&W Center provides individual, departmental, and institutional-level services.  

Additional Resiliency and Well-Being Center workshop information can be found here.

Want to stay up-to date with OSS Events in 2025? Click here to add the Office of Student Support (OSS) Events Calendar to your Google Calendar. You can also check out the Events Tab on the OSS website to see event details.

Interested in meeting with our learning specialist, Terri Edwards, or with our associate director, Alex Velto? Use their Calendly links to easily schedule a meeting with them! 

                             Alex's Calendly         Terri's Calendly