BEING ON TOP OF YOUR WELLBEING FROM THE GET-GO 

Words by Cileme Venkateswar (she/her)

 

The start of uni—whether you’re in first or fifth year—can be overwhelming. With a million things going on and bucketloads of information to take in, the determination to Be On Top Of It from the get-go can be easier said than done. While you find your way through the  first weeks of uni, make sure you’re also thinking about looking after your wellbeing. 

While Mauri Ora acts as a medical and counselling service (which you can access through their website), Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing takes a preventative and holistic approach to your wellbeing. We know uni isn’t just about burying yourself in assignments and readings. Manawa Ora offers peer support groups to facilitate connections between students in environments outside of classes and halls. In 2023, these services are:

  • The Bubble: a hangout space in the Student Union Building (furnished with far more comfortable seating options than the Hub) with free tea, coffee, fruit, and a kitchen on offer. There are Bubble student leaders milling around between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. who can refer or take you to other services you might need.

  •  Storycraft: a student-run writing group that brings creative minds together in a safe, uncompetitive, and supportive environment.

  • Canine Friends: last but not even remotely least, the Canine Friends Pet Therapy dogs regularly visit the university. Keep your eyes on our social media pages for info about when our pup pals will be hanging out at the Bubble!

Manawa Ora is here and (some of us are) queer. We have a Rainbow and Inclusion service to answer questions about the rainbow community or help with issues affecting study, such as updating legal and preferred names. Our Rainbow Student Leaders run a weekly Rainbow Peer Group in SU209 (Rainbow Room). To stay up to date with these services, sign up for the rainbow mailing list at rainbow@vuw.ac.nz

Manawa Ora is also the home of the Refugee-Background Student services. Our adviser Kodrean Eashae is here to assist any difficulties or issues refugee-background students may face while studying at Te Herenga Waka.  

From Weeks 2-6 of Trimester 1 and 2, Manawa Ora runs Wellbeing Workshops, facilitated by trained students. These cover a range of issues and situations students encounter. This year, we have six topics: Workload, Assertive, Imposter syndrome, Burnout, Resilient, and Procrastinate. 

Book now for any of the Trimester 1 workshops on Careerhub.

If you’re looking for resources to access from home, check out our Online Wellbeing Resources via our website.

Nobody expects you to have it all together. Not in week two, not in week eleven, not even third year. Uni is always equal parts rewarding and challenging, but everyone deserves every opportunity to thrive. So come on down to Student Union and say hi, whether you need help, just want to see what we’re about, or of course, want some puppy cuddles. We’ll be here all year!

 

Website: wgtn.ac.nz/wellbeing

Instagram: @manawaorastudentwellbeing

Facebook: Manawa Ora Wgtn Uni

 


Cileme Venkateswar