The First-Year Student’s Guide to Wellness on Campus
It’s not always easy to focus on wellness amidst a whirlwind of fresh faces, opportunities, and responsibilities, but you can find support across the University of Denver campus.
Your first year at college can be exciting and, at times, overwhelming. How exactly do you balance classwork with staying healthy and making new friends? At the University of Denver, the Four-Dimensional Experience encourages you to develop your well-being as well as your intellect, and there are plenty of resources on campus to help you do so. Here are some of the biggest areas where students need help—and where to find it.
Putting mental health first
If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, talking with someone goes a long way. The licensed psychologists and counselors in the Counseling Services office at the Health and Counseling Center, located on the third floor of the Ritchie Center, are equipped to help students with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and more.
“We really want the HCC to be an easy place for students to access in-person counseling,” says Jacaranda Palmateer, PsyD, director of Counseling Services at the HCC. “Even if you end up needing more specialized care, we can connect you with clinics and resources beyond campus.”
Whether you’re looking for individual, couples, sport psychology, psychiatry, or group therapy, the HCC has your back:
- The HCC takes multiple insurance plans, and your sessions are confidential. To book an appointment, log into the MyHealth portal or call 303-871-2205. Counseling Services also accepts drop-ins from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.
- The HCC offers a 24/7 hotline for mental health support and crises at 303-871-2205. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or Campus Safety at 303-871-3000.
- Survivors of interpersonal violence can receive support at the HCC’s Center for Advocacy, Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE). All CAPE services are free and confidential. To speak with an advocate, contact 303-871-3853 or cape@du.edu.
- Some obstacles require more than therapy. If you’re facing financial hardship, bereavement, or a medical or mental health disorder that impacts your ability to stay in school, Student Outreach and Support can connect you with resources or help you take a leave of absence.
The Daniels College of Business has its own program to promote student wellness. Geoff Miller, the associate director of student support at Daniels, is a licensed social worker and holds regular office hours for students who need help or want to chat. You can also spend time with Louie, Miller’s therapy dog in training.
Staying active on campus
Finding time for exercise can be tricky with a busy academic schedule, but you don’t have to dedicate hours in the gym to live an active lifestyle. Stacy Musunuru, assistant director of physical well-being for the Kennedy Mountain Campus, wellness, and recreation at DU, says even a 20-minute walk on campus is beneficial to your health.
“You don’t have to do all your activity at once, either—break it into smaller chunks,” says Musunuru. “Everything you do during the day adds up.”
That said, if you want to add more dedicated exercise to your day, there are plenty of places to do so:
- DU’s main gym is the Coors Fitness Center, located in the Ritchie Center.
- If you’re new to exercise and gym equipment, Coors Fitness Center has personal trainers who can help. Not in your budget? Try small-group sessions or take an elective on resistance training in the Kinesiology and Sport Studies Department.
- Coors Fitness Center also offers a range of group fitness classes that are free for students to attend. New to the schedule this quarter are express cycle classes, lunchtime yoga, and weekly equipment orientations.
- You don’t have to hit the gym! DU has several intramural sports teams and 36 club teams at different levels of competition.
- If exploring the great outdoors is more your style, DU Outdoors and the Alpine Club plan regular trips to the mountains.
Counting sheep
If you're struggling to adopt healthy habits, DU's Well Coaching program offers free, one-on-one support from trained wellness coaches. Justin Stoeckle, assistant director of well-being promotion, says Well Coaches can help you work toward your fitness goals, manage your finances, reduce your screen time, and more.
“The coach’s role is to be a guide and cheerleader for students,” he explains.
Stoeckle says a lot of students reach out to the Well Coaching program to improve their sleep. If you’re struggling to get a full eight hours, sticking to a routine is key:
- Set a reminder on your phone for when it’s time for bed—but don’t scroll the night away. Try to limit your screen time in the hours before bed.
- Create a nighttime routine that helps you wind down, like reading or drinking tea. It’s OK if you can’t follow your routine every night but try to prioritize school nights.
- Wake up at a consistent time that allows you to get to class without rushing.
If you get plenty of sleep but still feel tired, then it’s time to consider your sleep quality. Is your room dark, quiet, and cold enough for a good night’s rest? Are you taking enough breaks during the day?
“[If you feel tired all the time], it’s possible that your daily schedule is tiring you out in a way that your body can’t fully recover at night,” says Stoeckle.
Building your community
At Daniels, Miller says he and Louie often get visits from students struggling with homesickness or loneliness. His advice? Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. DU has more than 100 clubs and 21 fraternities and sororities. Miller is happy to help students find clubs based on activities they’re already interested in, but he recommends trying new things, too.
“The best part about clubs is they’re not mandatory,” he says. “If you go to a meeting and don’t feel it’s the right fit, you don’t have to go back.”
If you’ve tried a few clubs and still haven’t found your niche, the HCC’s Palmateer says to give it time. First-year students tend to feel more settled by the spring, once everything (and everyone) becomes familiar.
“Eventually, we make friends and build communities related to our shared interests and values,” she says.
