Health and Wellbeing: Resources + My Experience

In this time of stress and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I think it’s important that prospective students know about health and wellbeing resources the University provides. Personally, I think UVA does an incredible job providing and publicizing these resources; I’ll cover some of the ones that I have found helpful during my first year.

When I was in your shoes as a junior and senior in high school, I was often very stressed and anxious. I put a lot of pressure on myself to strive for perfection, and often found myself worn down after long days of classes, extracurriculars, and long hours of homework. Upon coming to UVA, I was definitely nervous about how I was going to manage my anxiety in college. When I started feeling anxious, one of the first people I turned to was my Resident Advisor (RA). My RA told me about UVA’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provides free mental health services to all students. She explained to me how to set up an appointment: you call and arrange a mental health screening; then, clinicians set up an intake appointment and help organize a treatment plan that works for you. CAPS is small, so sometimes they will refer to therapists in the Charlottesville community if an individual has needs beyond their scope. Regardless, they make sure you are in good hands if you reach out to them.

Another resource that is being offered both on-grounds and remotely via telehealth is Wahoowell, a program that is designed to promote wellbeing. It is different from CAPS in that it is not therapy; rather, it is focused more on setting goals, exploring strengths, and improving stress management, sleep, decision-making and other skills. All students are welcome to participate in this free, confidential program.

Both CAPS and WahooWell are housed in the Elson Student Health Center, located just off central grounds, about a 10-15 minute walk from first-year dorms.

In addition to providing information on resources, my RA made an effort to just be a supportive friend, whether it was offering a hug or getting breakfast before classes. I knew she was someone I could turn to for advice on university life, from classes to clubs (and how to strike a balance!). RA’s work hard to provide a sense of community for their residents. One of the bonding activities my hall did in the beginning of the year was going to a free yoga class at the Aquatic and Fitness Center (AFC), one of UVA’s four gyms, which is located near the first-year residence areas. For me, exercise is one of the best forms of stress relief; I love running and doing yoga, as I find both clear my mind and make me more productive. The yoga class that my hallmates and I went to in the AFC was through UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center, which provides free evening yoga classes to students, as well as other meditation and wellness resources. All UVA students can go to the recreation centers for free with their student ID, so if yoga is not your thing, you can easily go get a workout in at Memorial Gym (known colloquially as Mem Gym) or even go rock climbing at Slaughter Rec Center’s Climbing Center. We also have a plethora of intramural sports that are a great way to blow off steam with friends. The message here is if you want to exercise and have fun while doing it, UVA has so many opportunities to support you.

Students taking a yoga class in the AFC

More broadly, I feel like what makes UVA special is that our culture values balance. Even in my busiest, most stressful weeks at UVA, I’ve constantly been reminded by my friends and professors to take care of myself. When I need a study break, I can find friends to go eat a healthy and filling meal together in one of our dining halls. If I’ve been sitting in the library too long, I go to club running practice and join friends for a long run. When it’s a friend’s birthday or we just have some time on a Saturday, I’ll go with people to a restaurant or the farmer’s market on the Charlottesville downtown mall. I believe UVA is a place that encourages students to be well-rounded, flourishing individuals. It’s been challenging to leave this community so abruptly, but I’m already excited to return.

Students hanging out together on the Lawn: a common (and beautiful) place to meet, hangout, or throw a frisbee!

Despite the fact that UVA students are not currently on-grounds, CAPS and Wahoowell are continuing appointments via telehealth. Additionally, all students have access to SilverCloud, a confidential, online mental health resource for managing issues such as anxiety, depression, sleep, and stress. Students are also staying connected with friends, clubs, professors and advisors through Zoom/Facetime calls. I am sorry that you cannot come visit grounds in person right now, but trust me when I say that whether online or in-person, this community is supportive and resilient. I can’t wait to return to grounds and welcome all of you to it!

Happy Memorial Day, and stay healthy.

Hoos Favorite Classes

Whether you are a prospective or admitted student, you might be wondering what classes UVA students love. The summer interns are here to share with you our favorites. Don't fret if none of these sound interesting to you; there are so many fascinating classes taught by incredible professors available here!

You-Jin: My favorite class that I have taken out of three years in UVA is SOC 2220: Social Problems with Professor Ian Mullins. This course helps students to familiarize with the conventional approaches through which sociologists study social problems related to environmental contamination, health, and politics. I totally recommend any students to take this! It is a very good, general information that would be helpful in our daily lives since social problems are applicable for everyone to understand and acknowledge that they are happening around us. I really appreciated how Professor Mullins focused on applying our knowledge and concepts to our current situation of social problems around us, so it truly felt like what I was learning was useful. Specifically, for the couple months before the end of the semester, we focused entirely on the coronavirus pandemic.

Students engaged in a lecture hall.

Ben: Though it’s hard to choose just one, my favorite class that I’ve taken at UVA is HIUS 2003: Slavery and its Legacies with Professor Kirt von Daacke. This course opened my eyes to the “hidden” histories that are locked within the walls of the university, which was predominantly built by enslaved laborers. Through a series of field trips and guest lecturers from all corners of the university, we discussed complex issues like the razing of the Vinegar Hill neighborhood in downtown Charlottesville during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation, the university’s role in furthering the highly problematic field of eugenics, and how the serpentine walls of the Lawn’s gardens were actually designed as sound barriers in order to minimize noise coming from the then-slave quarters. With many opportunities for community engagement and a focus on group-based writing and learning, the class not only taught me information that every incoming UVA student should know, but was a perfect “first semester first year” class in terms of size, hovering around 40 students in a seminar-like style. Through HIUS 2003, I began to question systems of inequality, sparking an interest in a potential wider study of educational and housing-based injustices which I hope to look into through a thesis project within the Political and Social Thought major. If you’re at all interested in history or policy-making, I highly recommend taking this class!

Sam: My favorite class that I’ve taken at UVA is Traditions of Buddhist Meditation with Professor Erik Braun. I took this class on a whim during my third year after I had a few friends tell me how much they enjoyed their Religious Studies classes. Professor Braun was incredibly knowledgeable on the subject and somehow kept the niche subject matter incredibly relevant to everyone. My favorite part of this class was the way it was structured -- it was a discussion-based class and Professor Braun did a great job keeping everyone involved. It was a 9 am class, and I thought I was done with all pre-10 am classes as a third-year, but I had little trouble getting up for this class just because I enjoyed being there so much. Moral of the story: don’t rule out a class just because it’s early! If it sounds interesting to you, go for it, no matter when it is. A good class can be a great way to start the day!

Don’t forget to bring your coffee/tea to that 9 am lecture!

Julia: If you ever get the chance, you HAVE to take PHIL 3810: Sex, Sexuality, and Gender with Professor Elizabeth Barnes. This class is essentially a survey of philosophical issues relating to sexual orientation, consent, and intersectionality, and it was both the most interesting and the most helpful class I’ve taken in my time at UVA. The readings are genuinely interesting, and Professor Barnes takes the time to go over the topics in depth at the beginning of each class before opening it up to a larger class discussion. This class is really great if you have never taken a philosophy class before, or if you are looking for a smaller seminar style class instead of a lecture. It also meets various requirements which is an awesome plus! Professor Barnes genuinely cares about her students and consistently checks in to make sure everyone is doing alright. And, as if you needed any more convincing, Prof. Barnes is a genius. Highly recommend, 10/10.  

Kelley: My favorite class that I’ve taken at UVA was ANTH 2400: Language and Culture with Professor Mark Sicoli. I took this class on a whim my first semester, and I loved it so much that it inspired me to take even more Anthropology classes. Now, I’m an Anthropology major! In this class, we studied how language shapes the world we live in and the tangible impact that it has on how cultural categories like race and gender are constructed and understood in our society. It taught me how to think critically about the language that others use, and especially that I use, every day and gave me a great foundation from which to approach a lot of other classes within my major. This class also helped me make some new friends, as I ended up joining a study group with other first years and RA’s from my dorm--  I will never forget the late night cram sessions that made me feel so welcome in my first semester of college.

Students studying together in a lawn room residence.

Abby: One of my favorite classes I’ve taken at UVa was MDST 3500: History of the Internet with Professor Kevin Driscoll. I took the class not knowing what to expect and ended up learning more than I could have thought. Professor Driscoll taught his class by teaching “alternative histories,” or alternate visions of what the present may have looked like based on theories of the past. The course covered not only U.S. history but how the Internet developed around the world. I learned about the development of the Internet in the government, in social dynamics, and in policy. We even got to design our own website with the goal of it appearing as an early site from the 1990’s. Not only was the class incredibly interesting and engaging, but I left with a vast knowledge of one of our most important modern tools, and a basis for coding skills that have been invaluable to me. 

Leah: EGMT 1530 Real or Fake: The Politics of Authenticity with Professor Sylvia Chong was a thought-provoking and personally engaging course. This class is one of the engagements for students participating in the Engagements pathway of the College Curriculum. In this 7-week long course, we explored and reflected on different identities (i.e. race, gender/sexuality, ethnicity, religion) and how they related to our own experiences. Professor Chong taught me how to see the gray area in who gets to claim certain identities and how to relate to identity on a personal level, even if it is different from my own. For our final project, we each got to explore an identity that interested us and write about it; my group researched the experiences of overweight women in the retail fashion industry and how they navigated shopping while being a size that not all stores accommodate well. 

Another great perk of taking this class was that Professor Chong loved getting to know students outside of the classroom! She took me and some other classmates to Mariebette Cafe and Bakery in Charlottesville to enjoy some delicious pastries and chat about how the semester was going for us. She also brought our entire class of about 30 students tacos from the UVA taco truck on grounds, as a treat, but also because we were discussing how ethnic food relates to identity (think Taco Bell versus authentic Mexican food). I’m so thankful for professors like her who want to engage with students in personal, fun ways.

This photo is of one of the engagement courses in action.

Jada: My favorite and most eye-opening class I’ve taken at UVA is Black Fire with Claudrena Harold. This class explored the history of race and civil rights, specifically at UVA. As a black student, I believe that it is so important to know the history of my University, and this class taught me that the black experience at UVA has not just been one of hardship and oppression, but of joy and triumph. Professor Harold is one of the most engaging and approachable professors that I have ever had the privilege of knowing, and I left this class with a better understanding of UVA’s history and how students have and continue to make a difference. 

To learn more about Black Fire, check out the website, https://blackfireuva.com/

which contains multimedia material documenting the history of social justice and racial equality at UVA.

Mia: One of my favorite classes that I have taken so far at UVA is LPPP 3230: Public Policy Challenges of the 21st century with Professor Gerald Warburg. The course is designed to introduce undergraduate students interested in policy to the political significance and social consequences of the wide range of  policy issues facing the world today. Each week was focused on a different subject: changes in the U.S. Presidency/Congress, Cyber and Drone Warfare, shifts in war powers, Climate Change Policy, Mental Health Policy, Fake News and Trust in the Media, Health Care Reform, Election Security, Voting Rights, Immigration Policy, and National Debt. The wide scope of the class made it quite challenging at times, however, it required us to think analytically and make connections between a wide variety of issues. Outside of just being exposed to all of these policy issues there were several assignments that required us to create policy solutions, and consider how we would get our policy or legislation enacted in such a politically divided time. Additionally, Warburg’s class, as well as many Batten classes, required us to shift our studies and analysis to consider the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and consider how these current events will impact policy objectives. 

Isaiah: My favorite class that I have taken at UVA so far is Introduction to U.S. Healthcare, a graduate level nursing class taught by Professor Rick Mayes. The class explores the complications around how healthcare is financed, organized, and delivered in the United States. We discussed primary health care policies related to public health, mental health, women’s health, bioethics, obesity, aging, and race.  I had a particular interest in the course because of my academic interest as a pre-med sociology major. However, the course is applicable to anyone in the United States that has to engage with the healthcare system. Currently, the course has been even more applicable to my life due to the rise of the novel coronavirus. I highly recommend this course to any pre-med, pre-dental, or pre-health student. Professor Mayes is a great teacher and has so many real life experiences that will make you love going to class each day.  Class rating: 10/10, Professor rating: 10/10.

Thanks for reading! If you are curious about what classes we offer here at UVA, you can check out Lou’s List, a site created by a UVA professor for students to browse courses online.

Meet the 2020 Summer Interns!

The Summer Interns are back! Learn a little bit more about us and our involvements at UVA, and stay tuned for our Instagram takeovers/posts (@uva_summer) as well as some awesome blog posts every Monday and Wednesday. 

MEET THE 2020 INTERNS: 

Abby Simmerman '21

Hi all! I’m Abby Simmerman (she/her/hers) and I’m a rising fourth-year from Leonardtown, MD. I am majoring in Media Studies with a concentration in Media Policy and Ethics in the College of Arts and Sciences. I am also minoring in Religious Studies with a concentration in Buddhism. After graduation, I am interested in working in advanced media law and policy. At UVa, I am involved in the University Guide Service, the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, and I am the Public Relations Vice President in my sorority. UVa has given me the opportunity to go to really cool places across the country on leadership retreats and trips to meet companies looking for employees in Atlanta, Nashville, NYC, and more! I have been able to pursue incredible internships in my time at UVa, including working on two Congressional campaigns, spending the year as a Strategic Marketing Intern for Virginia Athletics, and now completing my second summer as an Admission Office Intern! Outside of UVa, I love exploring Charlottesville—especially the food—so much so that I have become an Elite level Yelper. Please feel free to reach out to me at ars4qj@virginia.edu with any questions about UVa, C’ville, or anything at all!

Ben Trombetta '22

Hi everyone! I’m Ben Trombetta (he/him/his), a rising third year from Pleasantville, New York, and I am so excited to connect with incoming and prospective students as an Admission Intern this summer! I’m a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, double majoring in Music and Political and Social Thought and minoring in Italian. I’m also an Echols and Miller Arts Scholar. During my first year at UVA, I joined the University Singers and Chamber Singers, as well as Arts Grounds Guides and Unsung People, a club dedicated to spreading kindness around the UVA and greater Charlottesville communities. I also was in the cast of First Year Players’ The Mystery of Edwin Drood and went on an Alternative Spring Break trip to Point Reyes National Seashore in California. After starting my second year, I joined the Academical Village People, an a cappella group, began volunteering with kindergarteners at a local Charlottesville elementary school through Madison House, and studied abroad for part of the spring semester in Siena, Italy. In addition to my classes and involvements at UVA, I love running, hiking in the Shenandoah National Park, and exploring new coffee shops and restaurants around Charlottesville with close friends! Feel free to send me an email at bst2zc@virginia.edu if you have any questions about life at UVA!

Isaiah Jenkins '22

My name is Isaiah Jenkins (he/him/his) and I am a rising 3rd-year Pre-Med student at the University of Virginia studying Sociology and African & African American Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. I am originally from Danville, Virginia, a small town in southern Virginia. In my short time here at the University, UVA has become a home for me and a place that I can't imagine not being in my life. On Grounds, I am passionate and involved in numerous student organizations including the University Guide Service, the Black Student Alliance, and the Daniel-Hale Williams Pre-Health Society. This will be my second summer in Charlottesville and I am really excited to work with the Office of Admission once again. When I wasn’t in Charlottesville last summer, I spent a month hiking and kayaking the Alaskan wilderness. However, I spend most of my time exploring Charlottesville and all that it has to offer (mostly the food). Please feel free to email me at ihj5jm@virginina.edu if you have any questions or just want to chat!

Jada Wright '21

Hi everyone! My name is Jada Wright, and I’m a rising 4th year from Suffolk, Virginia. I’m a student in the College of Arts and Sciences and I’m majoring in English! Some things I’m involved in around Grounds are Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, volunteering with Madison House by tutoring local elementary school kids, and the Outreach Student Admission Committee Advisory Board. I have also had the privilege of being a Resident Advisor for the past 2 years. Coming to UVA has been the best decision of my life, and I’m so excited to show you guys what makes UVA so amazing this summer! Please feel free to email me with questions about my major, involvements, or UVA in general: jnw3tr@virginia.edu. Wahoowa!

Julia Paraiso '22

Hey everyone! My name is Julia (she/her/hers) and I’m a rising third year from Richmond, Virginia. I’m a student in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law and minoring in Women, Gender, and Sexuality with a concentration in Gender. In my first year, I joined First Year Players (FYP), a musical theater organization meant to enhance the first year experience, and I also rushed a sorority within the Inter-Sorority Council (ISC) in the spring. I'm still super involved in both of these groups as I am currently the ISC representative for my sorority and I just finished up serving as the first Diversity and Inclusion Chair for FYP. This past year, I had the privilege of joining the University Guide Service to give tours to prospective students and families, and I also went on an Alternative Spring Break trip to the US-Mexico border. Outside of my academics and involvements, I also love going to see movies at the Alamo with my friends, occasionally hiking Humpback Rock, studying with an iced chai tea latte in hand at Grit, and reading a good book on the Lawn. I’m so pumped to tell you guys all about my experiences at UVA over the next couple months! Feel free to email me with any questions you have about my major/minor, involvements, or anything else you want to know: jnp4dz@virginia.edu. Go hoos!

Kelley Long '21

Hi everyone! My name is Kelley Long (she/her/hers)— I’m a rising third year from Fredericksburg, Virginia studying Spanish and Anthropology with a concentration in culture and communication, planning to graduate early to complete my Master’s in Anthropology. I’ve been involved with research in the Anthropology department for the last two years, and some of my other favorite involvements around Grounds are the University Guide Service, which means I give admissions and historical tours of UVA, and LAMA. LAMA, or the Latinx and Migrant Aid program, is run through Madison House, UVA’s community service center, where we visit different locations and schools around Charlottesville to provide tutoring and other services to the area’s Latinx community. Madison House also has a ton of other really cool programs that help UVA students connect with and serve the larger Charlottesville community. I am so excited to (virtually) meet all of you! Please reach out with questions or anything you’d like to hear more about: kel6at@virginia.edu.

Leah McConnell '23

Hi! My name is Leah McConnell and I am a rising second year from Annapolis, MD. I’m currently in the College of Arts and Sciences, but I plan to apply to the Curry School of Education next spring in order to major in Speech Communication Disorders. As a member of the University Guide Service, I give admissions and historical tours at UVA. Another way that I connect with prospective UVA students and families is through the Admission Liaison Program’s Legacy Link which connects prospective UVA legacy students with current students like myself. I also am involved in Greek Life through the Inter-Sorority Council and am a member of Chi Omega. In my free time, I like to run with the UVA Club Running team, attend church and bible studies at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, and hangout with friends or do homework at libraries or in the Center for Christian Study. I’m so excited to be a summer intern with UVA Admission and to provide you with virtual opportunities to get to know the University I call home! My email is lam2nvz@virginia.edu if you have questions or want to chat about my UVA experience!

Mia Bailey '22

Hi! I’m Mia Bailey (she/her/hers), a rising third year from Reston, Virginia. As an Admission Intern, I am so excited to spend my time this summer connecting with prospective students and sharing all of the things I love about UVA. I spent the past two years studying in the College of Arts and Sciences, and was recently admitted to the Frank Batten School of Public Policy and Leadership. I will of course be majoring in Public Policy and Leadership, while also double minoring in Sociology and African American Studies on a Pre-Law track. During my first year at UVA, I joined the Virginia Dance Company (if you are a dancer, AUDITION IN THE FALL!) In the Spring of my first year, I also participated in the Inter-Sorority Council’s recruitment process and joined a sorority — I have since left said sorority, but would still love to answer any questions surrounding Greek Life at UVA! During my second year, I joined the University Guide Service which has allowed me to give both historical and admissions tours for UVA. Some other involvements of mine are University Democrats, Sustained Dialogue, and volunteering at local Charlottesville elementary schools through Madison House. Outside of my academic interests and commitments, I have an extreme caffeine addiction and love visiting all of the local coffee shops in Charlottesville and of course grabbing AMAZING local Cville food with friends! Email me (meb8dh@virginia.edu) if you want to chat about LITERALLY ANYTHING UVA! 

Sam Nicholson '21

Hello! I’m Sam Nicholson (he/him/his), and I am a rising fourth-year from Chatham, Virginia. I am a part of an interdisciplinary major called Political Philosophy, Policy, & Law, and after I graduate I hope to pursue my masters in public policy. In my spare time, I give historical and admissions tours for UVa, and I’m also a member of the Chess Club, WXTJ student radio, and the Outdoors Club. This will be my second summer in Charlottesville, and I am truly excited about it. I have become pretty familiar with the area and I love hiking and climbing in many of the beautiful areas around the city. If any of that sounds relevant to you, please feel free to shoot me an email with any questions you have about UVa at sdn6jp@virginia.edu.

You-Jin Yeo '21

Hey all! I’m You-Jin Yeo (she/her/hers), a rising fourth year from Centreville, Virginia. I’m double majoring in Sociology and Psychology. After graduation, I’m looking into human resource/talent acquisition in a corporation and then coming back to higher education in student affairs such as being a dean in a university. At UVA, I’ve been a Women’s Leadership Development Program Alumnae and C.A.S.H. Volunteer Income Tax Associate in Madison House for three years. I have been an Administration & Recruitment Executive of Career Peer Educator Program in UVA Career Center for two years and have gotten to present workshops regarding career resources to student organizations and have drop-ins with peers one-on-one. Hit me up if you would like to know further information about career resources! I have also been a Prospective & Alumni Relations Chair in Asian Student Union for two years where I got to host an annual lunch with alumni and run a multi-day event for newly admitted Asian/Asian Pacific Islander Desi American students. During my spare time, I love to dance and have been performing in Korean Student Association events every semester. I also like to explore Charlottesville and check out underrated places. I’m a passionate food enthusiast and am so excited to share my food adventures with you all. This is my second summer as an Undergraduate Admission Office Intern, so feel free to connect with me or ask any questions at yy2he@virginia.edu!