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CAPS Workshops help ensure success and well-being

Posted by Taylor Hayden

With fall quarter in full gear, CAPS is here to help with a variety of workshops to ensure your success and well-being at Northwestern. CAPS, the primary mental health service at Northwestern, is offering free workshops all quarter to help students develop life skills important for how to better concentrate and manage stress. For example, students are welcome to stop by the drop-in meditation sessions on Mondays to learn how to reduce physical and mental stress.

Each workshop varies in dates and times, so feel free to pass by any of the ones that match your schedule. Also, don’t worry if you missed the first session. Students are welcome into the second or third session of a workshop. To register, go to http://bit.ly/1GxM2vg.

Here’s a breakdown of this quarter’s workshops:

Introduction to Mindfulness

Mondays, 1:00 – 1:50 p.m.

Session I: September 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17

Session II: October 24, 31, November 7, 14

This four-part workshop introduces several mind-body self-regulatory skills to improve concentration and decrease reactivity to distressing thoughts and physical sensations.

Relaxation and Biofeedback

Mondays, 2:00 – 2:50 p.m.

Session I: September 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17

Session II: October 24, 31, November 7, 14

In this four-part workshop, come learn relaxation techniques and observe the effects of biofeedback devices, which help control physical, emotional and mental activity for the betterment of health.

Drop-In Meditation

Mondays, 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.

September 26 – November 14

Learn how to reduce physical and mental stress through the art of meditation at this drop in clinic. No registration necessary.

Success Strategies

Thursdays, 11:00 – 11:50 a.m.

Session I: September 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20

Session II: October 27, Nov 3, 10, 17

This four-part workshop is a resource for students experiencing problems such as concentration difficulties, procrastination, feelings of anxiety, or other forms of distress in connection with personal or academic stressors.

Enhancing Attention Through Mindfulness

Fridays, 2:00 – 2:50 p.m.

Session I: September 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21

Session II: October 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18

In this workshop, students who struggle with distractibility, concentration, or completing work assignments will be introduced to several Mindful Awareness Practices that improve short-term memory, attention and concentration.

Sleep for Health and Performance

Friday, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

October 28

Come to this interactive workshop to learn how sleep affects your learning, memory, performance, and overall health, and to acquire techniques to improve your sleep.

Peak Performance Training

Friday, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

November 18

Learn techniques, based on concentration and relaxation, to enhance your performance.  

Drop-In Stress Management Clinic

Mondays, 9:30 – 12:30 p.m.

Thursdays, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Fridays, 11:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Now through December 9

 

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Dittmar Exhibit – Anonymous Women

Posted by Taylor Hayden

A silent figure is standing in the middle of the room.

Draped in coarse beige cloth, she models playfully in the center of the warmly lit gallery, one hand cockily placed on her hip. The other extends from the woven fabric and clutches loosely at a TV remote, somehow glaringly unsettling in the static form. Only the tip of a gold-clad toe peeks out from the bunched-up cloth that sweeps the ground.

This figurine comprises one of two 3D pieces in Patty Carroll’s Anonymous Women Dittmar Gallery exhibit. The other, a painted television, sits beneath the photo Royal and juxtaposes clips of cloaked women performing household tasks in small, jerky movements while cheerful music plays. Captured in glossy photos, the other pieces portray women posing before various fabrics and backgrounds. The women are not featured in these photos, however. It is more accurate to say that they are hidden.

 

None of these people have faces or shapes, and the only clue indicating their presence is the faint outline of fabric-covered figures surrounded by identical prints. In pieces Sweepy and Watering, it is genuinely difficult to make out the women’s location upon first glance. One woman’s appendages appear from behind the curtain, but even those are abstractly toyed with: a gardening tool replaces one of her arms.

Carroll notes that this series is meant to invite “hilarity and pathos about our relationship with “things,” and indeed, there is humor to be found in the ridiculousness of the picture settings. However, as you continue searching for faces that don’t exist or seeking some nonexistent emotion in these hidden woman, you cannot help but wonder:

What about me?

Anonymous Women is showing in Dittmar Gallery through October 17th each day from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Patty Carroll’s work has been featured in various galleries around the world and won a multitude of awards. She teaches photography at university level and is the photographic artist of four books. Currently, Carroll is continuing work on her photographic galleries.

 

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Recruitment Timelines for a Successful Job Search

Posted by Taylor Hayden

Step #1 to a successful job and internship search: Know the recruitment timeline for your industry of choice. Every industry has its own application and hiring cycle.

If you’re looking for a job or internship in consulting, finance or engineering, the application and recruitment period is happening now. Other industries, like journalism, education and government, pick up in October and November.

It’s important to keep in mind that employers use different strategies for recruitment. Some employers, such as those in finance and consulting, participate in on-campus recruiting (information sessions, career fairs and interviews). Others, such as those in the arts and culture and nonprofit, are more likely to recruit through networking or posting opportunities in CareerCat, Northwestern Career Advancement’s central platform for career activity.

How can you prepare?

  • Stay active in CareerCat to ensure that you don’t miss an opportunity. Select your career interests when creating or updating your CareerCat profile and schedule a Job Search Agent to receive the career opportunities that you care about most.

  • Connect with your Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) career adviser to develop a job or internship search strategy in advance of your preferred industry’s hiring cycle.

Here are the timelines for internship and full-time recruitment. These tables provide general time frames, as NCA continues to receive internship and job postings throughout the year for many industries.

Get ahead of the job search at the Fall 2016 Internship & Job Fair. Stop by the second floor of Norris on September 27 and 28 to network with potential employers. More than 160 employers from a variety of industries will attend, with 80+ different employers each day. 

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A deeper look at Wildcat Welcome 2016

Posted by Taylor Hayden

Earlier this week, the Class of 2020 and transfer students moved in, met their RAs, PAs, classmates, staff, and likely met Morty, too. (That’s President Schapiro, of course).

All along the way, Wildcat Welcome has been capturing these unforgettable moments on Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter.

Additionally, Student Affairs has taken dozens of photos at major Wildcat Welcome events.  Check out pics from Move-In Day, March Through The Arch, Kiss ‘n’ Bye, and more on the Student Affairs photo album.

New students

New students “March Through the Arch” as families, staff, and faculty cheer on.

Wildcat Welcome continues through Monday, September 19. The first day of classes takes place Tuesday, September 20.

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SIGP funds record number of student internships

Posted by Taylor Hayden

This summer, more than 350 Northwestern students are receiving grants of at least $3,000 to participate in unpaid internships through the Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) Summer Internship Grant Program (SIGP). This funding is donated from many sources throughout the Northwestern community, such as alumni networks, staff and administration, and friends of the University, and is given in order to financially assist undergraduates who want to complete internships in fields that do not offer paid experiences. Additionally, SIGP recipients are encouraged to engage in career development activities over the summer and to blog about their experiences working in their field.

Read NCA’s blog post to learn more.

 

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2015-2016 Student Affairs Staff Awards

Posted by Taylor Hayden

The 2015-2016 Student Affairs Staff Awards were presented to Student Affairs staff members, departments, and partners to thank and recognize them for the outstanding work they have accomplished this year at Northwestern. A number of awards including the Integrity Award, honoring the staff members who has demonstrated high ethical and professional standards, or the Social Justice Award, honoring the staff members, departments, or groups who has helped foster an equitable and inclusive community, were given to the individuals and groups of Student Affairs who have contributed in creating a stronger campus community.

A full list of the 2015-2016 Award Recipients is available on the Student Affairs website.

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SIGP makes it possible for students to pursue unpaid internships

Posted by Taylor Hayden

For students who want to get valuable experience from an unpaid internship but need financial support, NCA’s Summer Internship Grant Program (SIGP) can help. Since 2007, SIGP has offered grants to NU undergraduate students to pursue summer experiences in fields that do not typically offer paid internships, ranging from $2,000 in its first year to now more than $3,000. A record-breaking 255 students received grants in 2015. Currently, NCA is accepting applications for its 10th SIGP class through April 5, 2016.

Read the Full Article Here.

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Download NUhelp and Walk Home Safely After DM

Posted by Taylor Hayden

Sore legs and tired minds can lead you to forget about your surroundings. Alert your friends about your 30-hour victory and get yourself home safely with SafeWalk, one of the many great features of the NUhelp App. SafeWalk aims to help students keep each other safe while commuting between locations. SafeWalk allows tired dancers to set an alert that will notify a friend if they do not reach their destination in a certain amount of time. The selected friend is encouraged to check in on the friend if this occurs, or call NUPD in case of emergency.

After 30 selfless hours in the tent, let the NUhelp App do something for you.

To access SafeWalk, download the NUhelp App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

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Body Acceptance Week Returns to Campus

Posted by Taylor Hayden

The world is overcrowded with negative media telling people to look and dress a certain way. Every day, folks are encouraged to alter their appearance to conform to societal standards. This February, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is back with Chicago artist Matthew Hoffman to remind us all that WE are ALL beautiful.

In a collaboration with Northwestern University Health Service (NUHS), the Women’s Center, Northwestern University Department of Recreation & Athletics and Northwestern Dining, Body Acceptance Week is returning February 15–19. Although it is nationally known as Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Northwestern’s re-named Body Acceptance Week is not only meant to promote awareness about eating disorders, but also to promote healthier lifestyles and positive body image.

“We changed the name to be more inclusive and create programs to support people whether they are struggling with an eating disorder or were struggling with how they saw their body,” Dr. Eileen Biagi, CAPS staff psychologist planning the event said.

Look out for the Body Affirmation Stations in the Pritzker School of Law Atrium in Chicago, Sargent Dining Hall, and Henry Crown Sports Pavilion throughout the week, and Nourish Your Beautiful Self on Monday, February 15t, 5:00–6:00 p.m., in Norris Center’s Wildcat Room to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle from the campus dietician. The You Are Beautiful arch installation by Matthew Hoffman will also be on display at the Law School Atrium and You Are Beautiful stickers will be distributed throughout both the Chicago and Evanston campuses all week long.

“In some ways this program is talking about changing a culture. Shifting a culture from being focused on certain beauty ideals and expanding people’s minds to a more diverse definition of what beauty is,” Dr. Biagi said. “I hope we keep finding new ways for us to do that, and to challenge people to actively reflect on how they define beauty instead of automatically accepting the messages we hear from the media.”

Northwestern is filled with intelligent and beautiful students that are changing the world every day, and it is vital that we remind ourselves and each other that we are all important. Operation Beautiful, a Post-it campaign for students to write uplifting notes to one another, will be coming soon to a residential hall or sorority/fraternity bathroom near you and is a great opportunity to spread that message.

Reinvigorate your body confidence this February. And always remember…

You are beautiful.

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