This Week @ York is bringing you this special edition focused on keeping you connected to the York community over the holiday break and supporting your mental health and well-being. We have also included some events that are taking place before and during the Winter Break, which you can find between #10 and #12 . All posted event times are in Eastern Standard Time.
Note: any information related to changes due to COVID-19 found in this newsletter has already been communicated to the community and can be found at York’s YU Better Together website. All this information is accurate at the newsletter’s time of publication.
Here are some important items to keep in mind this week.
| 1 | York International has prepared a Holiday Information webpage to support you during the Winter Break, no matter where you are in the world. Read about virtual events, essential information and updates, and some holiday blog posts that will help keep you occupied over the break. |
| 2 | Students living in Undergraduate Residences, York Apartments or the QUAD: Remember to complete the mandatory screening form every day. This daily exercise allows York University to get in touch with and support students living on campus who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Residents should continue to observe restrictions on gatherings. Students approved to stay in our undergraduate residences over the holidays can visit their building Facebook group to learn about a variety of virtual activities hosted by Residence Life. |
| 3 | REMINDER: If you’re looking to complete some registrarial tasks while the University is closed, check for available self-serve tools and resources on My Online Services. Get what you need, from wherever you are, at almost any time of the day. |
| 4 | These York units have online and remote services available to you throughout the year:
Student Community & Leadership Development, recognizing that mental health is connected to physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well as your academic and financial wellbeing, has curated a suite of COVID-19 resources to help you with physical distancing and online learning from home. The web page includes a variety of fitness & nutrition resources to help you keep your body in good health. Also take a look at some of their resources for creating a study space in your room, meditation and relaxation. Student Counselling, Health & Well-Being have also provided a suite of COVID-19 mental health resources to help you prioritize your mental health and well-being, and access additional community supports. GradConnect Wellness Services support York’s graduate students. You can request a confidential Wellness Consultation by phone, email or online to discuss coping with stress and anxiety. The Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education (The Centre) coordinates support and resources for all members of the community that have experienced sexual violence and assists survivors through the complaint process. They can be reached by phone and email. The Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR) is also available by phone and email to provide support to students impacted by critical incidents or personal crises, and to help with referrals. Contact the Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR) at oscr@yorku.ca or 416-736-5231 if you have questions or concerns about staying safe on or off campus. OSCR is available from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| 5 | Your YU Blog is also thinking about your mental health and wellness. Check out these blog posts: DIY Self-Care Kit; Stay Healthy This Exam Season and Five Tips for Staying Motivated & Productive. |
| 6 | If you’re looking for some mobile apps to help you relax, meditate or play, check Osgoode Hall Law School’s Wellness Support during COVID-19 web page. |
| 7 | As a York student you also have access to these community services:
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| 8 | Zoom/eClass Student Tutorial. All students are welcome to join this session and learn the ins and outs of Zoom and eClass in preparation for your virtual classes this Winter. These sessions in December and January will cover York's primary online learning platforms. You'll learn some key information as well as tips and strategies from senior students on Zoom lectures, breakout rooms, online testing evaluations and more! Wednesday, December 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required. |
Events
| 9 | What Can I Do With My Degree? Attend this Career Centre webinar and learn how the skills you are developing in your degree and the experiences you are gaining while at York will help build a foundation for your future. Wednesday, December 16, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Registration required.
You may also have time over the break to think about your career and check out My Career Plan on the Career Centre’s eClass page. If you’d like to learn more about My Career Plan, read the #YUBlog post, “Career Centre’s New Module: My Career Plan on eClass,” where the bloggers have broken it down step by step. |
| 10 | Winter Holiday Gala. Join other students, dress up and celebrate the start of your winter break and the holiday season at York International’s Winter Holiday Gala! There will be music, festive activities and fun games. Take this time to dress up and to connect to your fellow international students. This will be another great opportunity for you to meet new people and create meaningful memories together! Wednesday, December 23, noon to 2 p.m. Registration required.
Holiday Art Therapy. Express what the holidays mean to you through your very own art creations and connect with the York International global community over the break. No artistic talent is needed! Sunday, December 27, noon to 1 p.m. Registration required. Celebrate the New Year! Celebrate the start of 2021 with the York international Global Community, talk about what you are looking forward to in 2021 and share some of your resolutions. Sunday, January 3, noon to 1 p.m. Registration required. There are still several events leading up to the University’s winter-break closure on the York International Events Calendar features several events leading up to the University’s winter-break closure, including the full Virtual Coffee Break weekly schedule. When you sign up for an event, a confirmation email with the zoom link will be sent to you upon registration. |
| 11 | The President's Creative Writing Awards. Get writing! The Creative Writing Department, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and The Office of the President are looking for original pieces in the following genres: poetry, short fiction, screenplay and stage-play. Open to all undergraduate students, you can submit work to more than one category, but may only submit one work per genre. Best entry for each genre gets $400! Submission deadline: Monday, January 18, 2021. |