Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Reclaiming Self-Kindness

You Are More Than Enough

As the Spring Quarter comes to an end, it’s easy to start thinking your worth lives in a letter grade (spoiler: it doesn’t). Here's how to tidy up those perfectionist thoughts and make space for self-kindness. 

🧹 Let Go Of:

• The inner critic telling you you're only doing well if you're constantly achieving.
  • Action:  Try journaling one thing you value about yourself outside of academics.
• The belief that your GPA tells the full story of your intelligence, effort, or potential.
  • Action: Write down 3 things you've learned this quarter that aren't on a transcript.
• All-or-nothing thinking. Growth happens in the in-betweens.
  • Action: Reflect on a recent “failure” and list at least one thing it taught you.

🌱 Keep or Reclaim:

• Your curiosity. Remember when learning felt like exploring?
  •  Action: Visit a niche museum, attend a random lecture, or watch a documentary just for fun this week.
• Real breaks. Rest isn’t wasted time—it’s part of the process.
  • Action: Take a 10-minute break today doing something that makes you smile.
• Pride in small wins. Showing up, staying hydrated, asking for help—these are victories.
  
  • Action: Make a “small wins” checklist today and cross off at least 3 things by the end of the day.

💌 A Gentle Reminder💌

Grades do not measure your potential as a person. They are a limited reflection of performance in specific academic tasks under specific conditions—and they don't account for creativity, emotional intelligence, resilience, kindness, or the unique path you're meant to walk in life. It's easy to tie self-worth to numbers or letters, but those marks can never fully capture your capabilities, your character, or your future potential.

Highlighted Event: Let's Talk

🌟 Final Let’s Talk Sessions of the Quarter! 🌟

Looking to talk something through—no pressure, no appointment, and no commitment? Don’t miss your last chance this quarter to drop in for a Let’s Talk session! These are free, informal consultations with therapists from UChicago Student Wellness, perfect for asking questions, getting support, or simply checking in.

📅 Wednesday, May 28th, 11am–12pm
📍Swift Hall, 1025 E 58th St., Room 406

📅 Friday, May 30th, 3–4pm
📍 Biological Sciences Learning Center, 924 E 57th St., Room 218

Study Break

💡 Need a Quick Break? Make a Cake!💡

Try the What Cake R U? Pro quiz. In just 3 minutes, you’ll uncover your unique strengths in a light-hearted (and surprisingly insightful) way. Because sometimes, the best way to remember what you bring to the table... is by finding out which dessert you are.

Video of the Week

🧠 Why Do We Get Stuck in the Negatives?

Ever notice how one bad grade or awkward moment can stick with you all day—while the good stuff fades fast? In her TEDxUCDavis talk, "Getting Stuck in the Negatives (and How to Get Unstuck)," UC Davis psychology professor Alison Ledgerwood breaks down why our brains hold onto the bad and how we can train ourselves to focus more on the positive.

Wellness Resources

Therapy Groups

Group therapy at UChicago Student Wellness offers a supportive, nonjudgmental space where students can share openly, gain perspective, and grow alongside others facing similar challenges.

Guided by counselors, group sessions help you feel heard, validated, and less alone—while offering tools and insights that can clarify your own path forward.

Maroon Mental Health Matters

Want to learn how to support a friend in need? Maroon Mental Health Matters is a specialized training program designed just for the UChicago community. Through interactive activities like role-playing, group discussions, and guided learning, you'll gain practical skills to recognize and respond to mental health distress or crisis.

🗓️ Saturday, June 14, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Student Wellness

TimelyCare

TimelyCare is a free, virtual mental health resource designed to complement the existing in-person and virtual services available to students.

With on-demand and scheduled appointments, TimelyCare makes it easier than ever to access support when you need it. Whether you're looking for a quick check-in or more structured care, this service is here to lower barriers and expand access to help.

UChicago Student Wellness

840 E 59th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637 | 773.834.9355

Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

840 E. 59th Street | Chicago, IL 60637 US

This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.