“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” - Vern McLellan

Happy New Year! 🎉We are excited to welcome both new and returning students back to campus. January is a time for building new routines, setting intentions, and reconnecting with support resources, and our office is here to help you get this semester off to a great start. Read more for upcoming programming designed to help you set and accomplish your goals this semester. 

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:

If you have an interest in current learning science research and self-regulated learning (SRL), OSS encourages you to complete a self-report questionnaire called the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) that broadly assesses students’ evidence-based strategic learning practices. Learning science and SRL research explain the why and how behind effective learning strategies, while the LASSI provides the “where you stand” by measuring the student’s proficiency in the strategies, skills, and learning mindsets needed to effectively apply those research-supported approaches. If you participated in the OSS summer book club for, Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning, the LASSI will be an excellent follow-up to assess your implementation of strategies presented in the book.

The annual LASSI virtual workshop conducted by OSS will be Thursday, February 5th at 7pm over Zoom.

Please register for the workshop by Thursday, January 29th to allow sufficient time for 1) OSS to email you a copy of the instrument and directions, 2) you to complete the inventory, and 3) OSS to email your individual report before the workshop.

*How the 10 Scales of the LASSI Align with

Learning Science Research and Self-Regulated Learning (SRL)

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.    

Need a study break? Join the Student Wellness Committee for hot cocoa and cookies in the Ross Hall Student Lounge on Wednesday, 1/14, from 12-1pm! Come meet the new SWC leadership and enjoy a warm treat.

Start the year with intention ✨ Join us for a New Year Vision Boarding Workshop led by the Resiliency & Well-Being Center Art Therapy Intern, Mia Goff.

Through creativity, reflection, and hands-on art-making, you’ll have space to visualize your goals, values, and hopes for the year ahead - no artistic experience required.

Feel free to bring any magazines, photos, stickers, etc., that you would like to use. Supplies will also be provided. All GW SMHS students are welcome!

Event Details: Monday, 1/12, 12-1:30pm in the Ross Hall Student Lounge

Whether it’s a snowy sidewalk, a cozy spot, or a quiet winter moment that made you pause - share it with us! Submit your winter scene photo and help us capture what this season looks and feels like across the GW SMHS community.

Your submission enters you into the raffle to win a disposable camera!

Deadline: Monday, 1/26 at 11:59pm

Thanks to everyone who joined us for last month's SWC Baking Competition! We had an incredible turnout, with over 90 students attending, and every baker receiving votes. It was a tight race, and we’re excited to announce the winners:

🥉 3rd Place: Eleanor Ball, Almond Cake
🥈 2nd Place: Hannah Yan, Chocolate Raspberry Cake
🥇 1st Place: Anneli Merivaara, Sourdough Pumpkin Bread

Be sure to join us for our next SWC event, always open to all SMHS students!

On Thursday, January 15th, 5-7pm, you're invited to a film screening of A Walk to Beautiful, taking place in the OT Suite in Watergate. The screening is sponsored by GW SMHS' Department of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences (HHFRS).

All GW SMHS students, faculty, and staff are welcome.

Please RSVP to Dr. Kells (knsawyer@email.gwu.edu) and/or Dr. Wentzell (ewentzell@email.gwu.edu).

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!

January seasonal produce includes: potatoes, onions, mushrooms, avocados, citrus, broccoli, and more!

For this month's seasonal recipe, try out this Garlic Roasted Mushroom Risotto! Risotto can be time-consuming, but this recipe features a hack - letting your oven do the work for you.

Free Community Days at the National Museum of Women in the Arts - 1/4, 1/14: The National Museum of Women in the Arts welcomes visitors with free admission twice each month. Acquaint yourself with one of the coolest art collections in the District without paying a cent. 

At the Vanguard Exhibit, National Museum of African American History & Culture - 1/16 - 7/19: The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s new exhibit features more than 100 objects from the collections of five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Clark Atlanta, Florida A&M, Jackson State, Texas Southern, Tuskegee) in a stunning display of how these institutions have shaped American education and culture through innovation, ingenuity, resistance and activism. Admission is FREE.

Winter Restaurant Week - 1/19 - 25: Washington, DC's Winter Restaurant Week returns every January with the promise of high-quality dining, excellent deals and relief to the winter blues. Savor every last bite while taking advantage of special menus and pricing, including to-go options and cocktail and wine pairings, courtesy of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and 200+ participating eateries.

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.

Submit Your Anonymous Questions for the New Year's Advice Column! 

Setting New Year’s resolutions can feel motivating for some - and overwhelming for others. 

You're invited to submit questions about creating meaningful, realistic goals and sticking with them beyond January. Whether you’re wondering how to make resolutions more achievable, how to stay motivated when life gets busy, or how to reset goals that no longer feel right,  Dr. Viktoriya Karakcheyeva from the Resiliency and Wellbeing Center (R&WC) is here to help! 

Submit your question(s) for practical, evidence-based advice to support sustainable growth in the year ahead by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, January 21st. Viktoriya will answer selected questions in the February edition of our newsletter. All questions will be kept anonymous.

Take a creative pause with Art Therapy Intern Mia Goff during Open Studio Hours! These drop-in sessions offer a relaxed, supportive space to unwind, reflect, and engage in art-making - no experience required. 

Dates: Every 2nd & 4th Monday - 1/26, 2/9, 2/23, 3/9, 3/23, 4/13, 4/27
Time: 12–2 PM
Location: Ross Hall, Room 202C

All GW SMHS students are invited, stop by anytime during the session and create at your own pace. Feel free to bring your lunch if you wish!

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 2026? 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 Zoom Scheduler to easily schedule a meeting!