Hello PACS students — you've made it to the end of the term! With assignments and exams looming, I'm sure you're feeling pressure to do well. This pressure can weigh on our minds and make an already difficult time even worse. This farewell newsletter includes information about and links to places you may find support both on-campus and off during the exam period. Explore your resources and options, and be sure to reach out if you are in need of some extra support this exam season.
The Peace and Conflict Studies department wishes you well in your final endeavours this term! Stay safe, study hard, and have a wonderful, relaxing break. We'll see you back here in 2019!
In this newsletter, you will find...
Library:
Campus Wellness:
Notes:
Disclaimer: Events and opportunities above are not all endorsed by the PACS department; this bulletin includes opportunities that we think PACS students may be interested in but are not sponsored by PACS. Please use your own discretion to determine if an opportunity is right for you.
Student Success Office
The Student Success Office (SSO) provides and facilitates strategic student support for academic and personal success. Each term, they offer workshops, peer coaching, learning groups, and more! They are dedicated to working with each individual student to help you find your way, recognizing that success looks different for everyone. Click "Read More" below to be view their homepage, or keep reading to learn about some of their services!
These workshops help you improve your study skills. They are activity-based, so you have the opportunity to to participate and learn by practicing. Workshops include: reading strategies, test preparation, note-taking, and more.
Time Management Workshop
The SSO also offers an online workshop on time management. Worksheets are provided for you to use as you follow along. You can watch the whole thing, or pick and choose the sections that are most relevant to you.
Online Resources
The SSO provides many online resources for students who may not be able to visit their office or attend workshops. These resources cover topics such as: life skills, test strategies, time management, self-awareness, and other school-based skills.
Library
Events
The libraries of the University of Waterloo have several events happening during the exam period, which are designed to help students relieve stress, learn about available resources, or learn about writing responsibly.
Research and Assignment Help
The library also offers research and assignment help, both in person and online. They include information about contacting librarians for subject-specific help, information about the help desks, and online tutorials about research strategies and resources. Additionally, they provide help on using information properly, including: finding journal articles, evaluating information sources, citing sources, academic integrity, and copyright.
Campus Wellness
Coping Skills Seminars
These are designed to help you challenge your thinking, hone your skills, and provide you with resources to cope with life's challenges. Topics include: cultivating resilience, challenging thinking, managing emotions, and changing behaviour.
Alleviating Anxiety
Campus Wellness also offers a seminar on alleviating anxiety, which will help you learn strategies to manage stress and anxiety. A CBT and mindfulness-based seminar, it is designed to help you better understand your anxiety, its causes, and the factors that maintain it.
Click "Read More" to be directed to Campus Wellness' seminars and workshops page to learn more!
Online Workshops and Seminars
Can't make it to the in-person sessions? Campus Wellness also offers online workshops and seminars! These include the coping skills seminars, relaxation exercises, stress management, and tips for sleeping well.
Counselling Services
Counselling Services strives to help you lead a healthy and balanced life. They provide a secure, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students. Counselling Services provides individual appointments, seminars and workshops, peer support, and online help for those in need of support and guidance.
Click "Read More" to be directed to their home page.
Online Resources
Counselling Services also provides online resources for mental health help! These resources include apps, videos, podcasts, and information about other campus resources. They also have information about specific mental health issues and possible resources to help with each issues.
Notes
Rachel Reist
If you do not know already, Rachel Reist is the Academic Advisor for PACS students! She is available throughout the exam period if you need any academic support or have any questions about how your term.
Her office is located at Conrad Grebel, room 2103B, and you can drop by anytime between 9:00am-4:00pm. Or, you can book an appointment in advance through email at rreist@uwaterloo.ca or call 519-885-0220 ext. 24269.
PACS 301
Interested in human rights and social justice? Check out PACS 301: Global Civil Society & Human Rights in a Complex World, one of the PACS special topics courses offered in the Winter 2019 term! This course will examine the ethical and practical challenges that civil society actors encounter when trying to advance and defend human rights in a world that has become increasingly hostile to international human rights norms and laws.