“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” - Angela Y. Davis

With Spring on the horizon, take a moment to recognize how far you’ve come this semester. As we reach the halfway point, now is the perfect time to reset, recharge, and refocus. Whether you need to refine your study habits, adjust your routine, or find new motivation, we've got you covered. Read on for strategies to navigate the “mid-semester slump” and finish strong!

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:

Next session: 3/19, 12-1pm, Feel free to bring your lunch!

WeTalk: The Art of Relaxation

Join us for a special WeTalk session designed to help SMHS students relax, recharge, and express themselves through painting! This interactive workshop will guide you through the calming, meditative flow of painting while incorporating mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and promote emotional well-being. As you create, you'll explore grounding exercises, mindful breathing, and the therapeutic power of color and movement. Take this opportunity to unwind, reflect, and release stress in a calm, supportive environment.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact CAPS at capsoutreach@gwu.edu or OSS at smhsstudents@gwu.edu.

Join the R&WC for a catered lunch and roundtable discussion on Physical Activity & Movement with Leigh Frame, PhD, MHS, CERT ’20, the R&WC's associate director and research director.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Healthy Relationships:

Thank you to those of you who submitted a question! Your questions help create a space where we can all learn and grow together.

Q: How do I set healthy boundaries with my friends, my partner, and/or my family? 

A: Healthy boundaries are important in any relationship - romantic, familial, or friendship-wise. To establish them, start by identifying your needs, such as how much time and energy you’re willing to invest. It is also important to note that boundaries are fluid and can vary depending on the person, context, and cultural expectations. Being clear about your limits helps foster mutual respect and understanding.

Q: Are there different types of boundaries? 

A: Yes! There are several types of boundary definitions but the main types are: physical, emotional, intellectual, sexual, material, and time-related. For example, sexual boundaries define how and with whom you express your sexuality, while material and time boundaries focus on what you’re willing to share financially or how you allocate your time. Recognizing these types helps you articulate and enforce your limits effectively.   

Q: What does healthy communication look like?

A: Healthy communication is an important aspect of any relationship and starts with knowing your intention. Expressing yourself is an important part of maintaining and growing strong relationships with others. To set the tone for an important conversation, your environment should be considered and you should try to avoid being in a loud or public space. Pay attention to your tone, body language, and facial expressions, as these non-verbal cues convey your emotions and engagement. 
So often in conversations, you might find yourself spending more time talking rather than listening. Avoid rushing to respond—pause to reflect before speaking to prevent misunderstandings or escalating tensions. As a reminder, while you can take back something you said, you cannot take away the feelings it might have given others. 

Q: How can I work to navigate my emotions while also communicating to my friends/partner that I am having internal conflict related to stress and not my friend/partner? 

A: Knowing that you become easily stressed around moments when big assignments and exams are coming up displays good insight about yourself so you can shift to how to handle that stress. During these times, it's important to maintain physical exercise, eat healthy and balanced meals, and stay hydrated while maintaining open communication with your friend or partner. When you are experiencing times of high stress, take note of coming home after long shifts or a long day of classes and check in with yourself to make sure you are feeling prepared to be around others or if you need to take space to process on your own. 

If you are feeling like your emotions are high, stop and reflect on what might be taking up your mindspace and find a way to help yourself work through it and come back to your center. Be open and honest about how you are feeling and how the stress is affecting you to avoid any miscommunication between you and your friend/partner. Stepping away can be beneficial and can vary from going for a walk, talking with a friend, cooking a meal, or anything you have found to be effective in the past.  

Q: What exactly is empathy?

A: Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and relate to the feelings of others even if you haven’t experienced their situation. It involves active listening, acknowledgment of emotions, and offering support. Empathy allows you to see beyond your own perspective, fostering deeper connection and mutual understanding in relationships. 

As we step into March, Women’s History Month is a time to honor trailblazing women like Marie Curie, Harriet Tubman, and the suffragettes.

However, the history of women’s healthcare has been less progressive. Until 1993, women were rarely included in clinical trials, they are almost twice as likely as men to experience adverse drug reactions, and most medical schools still provide minimal menopause education. (Sources: Association of American Medical Colleges, American Family Physician, Menopause)

Thankfully, today, women have more access to research-backed, female-focused care than ever before. That’s why Talkspace has partnered with leading organizations in our Women’s Health Coalition to make high-quality care more accessible and affordable.

As a Talkspace partner, GW SMHS students have access to exclusive discounts with these organizations. Click here to learn more.

Let’s make this Women’s History Month about more than celebration, let’s take action to support better care for all women.

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 input your GW email address. [Medical Residents should NOT use their MFA email address] After you are registered and matched with your therapist, you can schedule an optional 10-minute live video introduction session.  Students who experience difficulty registering should contact partners-support@talkspace.com and cc Alex Velto (alex.velto@gwu.edu).

Please note that after a year of using the platform, you will need to revalidate your account.  Go to the 'Check my coverage' feature found in your Talkspace app settings - and follow the prompts provided. If you prefer to remain connected to your current therapist, you will have to reach out to partners-support@talkspace.com to validate instead.

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.

In 1987, the federal government officially designated March as Women’s History Month (WHM). This proclamation, signed by President Ronald Reagan, came after several decades of advocacy, passion, and persistence by figures such as Senators Barbara Mikulski and Orrin Hatch and the National Women’s History Project. Nationally, WHM encompasses the history and contributions women have made to society.

The George Washington University (GW) presented its first annual WHM in 2004. Promoting the historical contributions of women globally, WHM programs include culture shows, distinguished guest lectures, and other educational events. Below, you can find a list of events from the GW Events Calendar - click on this link to view more details about the MSCC and WHM:

Jessica Marie Johnson's "Wicked Flesh: Black Women, Intimacy, and Freedom in the Atlantic World." - 3/5, 10am - 11am

Virtual: Cardiovascular Disease in Women Webinar - 3/13, 12-1pm

Virtual: Afterlives of Revolution: Everyday Counter histories in Southern Oman - 3/20, 12-1:30pm

Think you’re the best baker on campus? Put your skills to the test in the SMHS Baking Competition, co-sponsored by the Student Wellness Committee! 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 cupcake baking kit!

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 Wednesday, 3/5*

Last month, the Student Wellness Committee (SWC) hosted a cookie decorating and card making event for Valentine's Day! A few students made cards for patients in the GW Hospital, while others enjoyed a fun, stress-free break filled with creativity.

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

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!

Submit a recipe by Friday, 3/28 to be included in the recipe book.

Your submission earns you a raffle entry to win a cooking themed prize!

*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!

March seasonal produce includes: all citrus fruits, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, artichokes, pineapples, and kiwi! For this month's seasonal recipe, try out this spinach artichoke pasta! You can simplify it by using pre-made spinach artichoke dip for a quick and easy dish. 

Yoga in the Galleries at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington - Every Saturday: Yoga in the Galleries is a 60-minute yoga session designed to inspire and uplift. Hosted in the beautiful Tiffany Gallery every Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m., you will be invited to move your body towards a presence with your inner creative. At the end of each flowing session, you will be invited to journal, doodle, draw or meditate.

Visit the National Museum of Women in the Arts - Free Community Day 3/12: The National Museum of Women in the Arts invites visitors to an exploration of unease across a range of surreal media. The only museum solely dedicated to championing women artists treads into new territory with Uncanny, which reveals women’s authorship of surreal narratives, revealing how the concept is used by these artists to regain agency and dissect feelings of revulsion, fear and discomfort.

National Cherry Blossom Festival - 3/20 - 4/13: DC celebrates the blooming of cherry trees with a month-long festival that commemorates the 1912 gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city. Check out popular festival events in the lead-up to the celebration, in addition to DC's guide to the celebration, how to get the most popular blossom spots and the best places to snap photos. 

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.

As we reach the middle of the semester, now is a great time to refresh your habits in order to finish the rest of the semester strong. Depending on your program of study, these tips may be more or less applicable. Consider these tips:

Change up your Study Strategies

Below are scientifically proven strategies for effective study habits. At mid-semester you may need to change some of your study habits, or to enhance them. Consider the following, and then experiment with trying out a few. 

Sumeracki, M., Nebel, C., Kuepper-Tetzel, C., & Kaminske, A. N. (2023). Ace that test: A student’s guide to learning better. Routledge.

Establish or Revitalize Routines

As pressures increase and available time seems to decrease, it is common for established routines to be replaced with tasks. When in a slump, adding a new routine can provide needed rejuvenation. New or revitalized routines may include any of the following.

Practice Good Study Hygiene

Just like proper sleep hygiene can lead to better sleep, good study hygiene can lead to better study sessions! Consider doing the following: 

Stay Connected with your Community & Support System

When it comes to academic success, taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as studying. During periods of high stress, the instinct may be to isolate yourself to focus entirely on coursework. However, research shows that social isolation is associated with a higher risk of burnout and decreased academic performance. Students who experience loneliness and lack social support are more likely to develop symptoms of anxiety, depression, and exhaustion, which can negatively affect their ability to concentrate and retain information (Arslan et al., 2020; Vizoso et al., 2019). Remember to stay connected to your friends and community throughout the semester - through your successes and your struggles.

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.    

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