“If the imagination is to transcend and transform experience it has to question, to challenge, to conceive of alternatives, perhaps to the very life you are living at the moment." - Adrienne Rich

As we approach the end of the semester, remember that OSS is here to help you finish strong. This month’s issue highlights upcoming events such as the SWC Fall Baking Competition, the significance of our newsletter name, and a full recap of our October events. Plus, check out resources from Talkspace for Men's Health Awareness Month.

If you need support or simply want to share your successes, don't hesitate to reach out!

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:

What is the Hippocampus? The significance of our newsletter name explained 

By Emma Smith

Our student newsletter, The Hippocampus, takes its name from one of the brain’s most important structures for learning and memory. Located deep in the temporal lobe, the hippocampus helps us convert short-term information into long-term memory and connect new knowledge to what we already know. It’s what allows us to retain lessons from experience, recall information when needed, and apply learning in new contexts.

That process closely reflects what we aim to support in the Office of Student Support. Just as the hippocampus strengthens the brain’s ability to store and retrieve information, OSS works to help students build sustainable habits, skills, and confidence that extend beyond a single test or semester. Through learning support, wellness programming, and student life engagement, our office aims to help students grow as much as possible in their time as an SMHS student.

OSS resources are designed to strengthen both the immediate and long-term aspects of learning - helping students move from quick problem-solving to meaningful skill development. Whether you’re refining study techniques, looking for ways to cope with stress, or learning to balance academic and personal responsibilities, our goal is to ensure that what you learn now continues to serve you throughout your program and beyond.

Naming our newsletter The Hippocampus symbolizes that ongoing process of connection and growth. Each issue highlights strategies, opportunities, and insights that help reinforce your learning and engagement, and are aimed at helping you grow as an individual. In the same way the hippocampus links information across experiences, this newsletter aims to link you to the resources, people, and supports that will help you navigate your academic journey.

Join Viktoriya Karakcheyeva from the GW Resiliency & Well-Being Center for this interactive workshop designed to help students understand how sleep directly shapes learning, memory, and performance.

Drawing from neuroscience and real-world studies on sleep, we’ll unpack what actually happens in the brain during different sleep stages, why “all-nighters” sabotage recall, and how strategic rest can boost focus and concentration, memory and recall, and emotional regulation. Participants will explore practical strategies for optimizing sleep before exams, on call, and during rotations. Expect myth-busting, quick resets you can use during long study sessions, and evidence-based tools to make sleep your most powerful (and free) study aid.

All GW SMHS students are welcome!

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.    

Back by very popular demand - the SMHS Fall Baking Competition, co-sponsored by the Student Wellness Committee! After an incredible turnout and delicious lineup of entries last year, we’re excited to bring this event back for another round of friendly competition.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just love a fun challenge, this is your chance to show off your favorite recipe and compete for the top spot.

The top 3 will win a Le Creuset Mini Cocotte!

Not a baker? No problem! All SMHS students are invited to taste the entries and vote for their favorites to help crown the winners. 

*Please register to compete by noon on Monday, 11/17

Feeling overwhelmed? Maybe you just need a study break? Stop by OSS (Ross 202) the week of 11/10 to recharge. We will have coloring sheets, a sticky note board with words of encouragement, tasty snacks, and a raffle you can enter for a chance to win a Talkspace travel coffee mug or a $25 Amazon gift card! 

We hope to see you there!

*Not on Foggy Bottom campus? Add a sticky note to our virtual wall below! Your participation enters you into the raffle for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

Thank you for joining us for the SWC Halloween Party last Friday; we had a spooky good time!

Weren't able to make it? Join us for the next Student Wellness Committee event - the Fall Baking Competition on Thursday, 11/20 (scroll up for details).

Join GroW for Health for a Pumpkin Smash Event this Friday, 11/7, from 2-4pm!

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to bring their old carved pumpkins and release some stress by smashing them, baseball bats provided! This event offers a healthy outlet for any stress you may have and is eco friendly as well -  all pumpkin pieces will be composted in the garden.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the OSS Halloween Scavenger Hunt! We had lots of fun hiding the skeletons and chatting with you as you searched.

🌟Congrats to our winners, pictured above!

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 3-4pm, Thursdays 1-2pm, and Sundays 10am-12pm. You can register for a shift clicking the button above or scanning 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!

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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!

November seasonal produce includes: apples, pomegranates, winter squash, spinach, brussels sprouts, carrots, and more!

For this month's seasonal recipe, try out this budget-friendly choice: Ras El-Hanout Chickpea & Spinach Stew.  The linked PDF includes a full ingredients list with pricing details for a budget grocery store; Aldi is used as an example.

*Read below for statistics and information on food insecurity in medical and health sciences students.

According to a recent national study, Food Insecurity Prevalence Among US Medical Students (Shanab et al., 2025), more than one in five medical students experience food insecurity — nearly double the national household average. Students from racial or ethnic minority groups and those facing socioeconomic challenges were at higher risk. Those relying on scholarships or federal/private loans to finance their education, as well as students with higher debt or dependents, were also significantly more likely to experience food insecurity. Notably, Black, Hispanic or Latino, and other URiM (underrepresented in medicine) students were disproportionately impacted compared with their White, non-Hispanic peers.

As food insecurity continues to affect medical and health sciences students nationwide, identifying affordable, nutritious meal options becomes an important part of supporting your well-being. To help make grocery budgets stretch a bit further, check out this month’s cost-cutting seasonal recipe above.

Are you experiencing food insecurity? Check out The Store, GW's on-campus food pantry, providing students free access to fresh food, dry goods, and hygiene items.

African American Civil War Museum Re-opening - 11/10-11: Celebrate the grand reopening of the African American Civil War Museum (which is supported by the African American Civil War Memorial) with two days of events. The DC institution will debut its new home (part of the redevelopment of the Grimke School) with a dedication of its new Lincoln statue (depicting the 16th President signing the Emancipation Proclamation), a trail march, a public ribbon-cutting, a happy hour, a Reading of the Names and more. FREE admission.

DC Holiday Market at DuPont Circle - 11/14 - 12/23: Opening just before Thanksgiving through mid-December, the 1500 block of 19th Street NW hosts 30-plus small businesses with artisanal goods, boutique brands, worldwide handcrafts and unique gift items, plus festive decor, local performers and beloved holiday treats. FREE admission.

DC Museums & Attractions Open During Government Shutdown

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.

GW SMHS Event Promotion - OSS Newsletter Feature Request Form: Do you have an upcoming event or campaign open to all GW SMHS students? Need help getting the word out? Complete the brief form below to apply for your event to be featured in the next edition of our newsletter.

Deadline: The form must be submitted at least one week prior to the release of the newsletter edition in question. Editions are released on the first weekday of each month. 

Questions? Contact Emma Smith at emma.smith@gwu.edu.

This November, Talkspace is recognizing Men’s Health Awareness Month with a focus on mental well-being. Learn more via the resources below:

Boosting Men's Mental Health: 11 Expert Tips

Self-Care for Men

Stress Solutions for Men

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? Use Zoom Scheduler to easily schedule a meeting!