12 Weeks of Wellness
February 6 – May 5, 2023
The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) has launched a 12 Weeks of Wellness program to encourage action and innovation that will improve students' emotional and physical well-being.
We hope to provide you with a myriad of skills, motivation, and social support, to remind you that sustaining healthy behaviors are beneficial and important through the year.
12 Week Schedule
Jump Ahead To:
(Click on the red circles below to reveal the activities for that week.)
Week 1 - Planning for Wellness
The Office of Student Affairs kicks off 12 Weeks of Wellness with a Moe's Welcome Back Luncheon on Wednesday, February 8th from 12-1PM in the Law Library, 2nd Floor Entrance.
Week 2 - UB Resources for Wellness Support at your Fingertips
This week we will highlight a number of University and School of Law resources that are available. It's as simple as clicking a link!
Join Us!
On Wed. Feb. 15, Thom Neill from UB Counseling will be tabling and promoting counseling and mental health services offered on campus.
11 a.m. - 1.pm. in the O'Brian Lobby
Week 3 - Guided Meditation
Want to learn more about mindfulness and meditation? Take a 4-week class from Koru Mindfulness to discover how you can benefit. Classes are free to *all* UB students. (Read more information)
Join Us!
On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the Office of Student Affairs and UB Health Promotions will be hosting a Guided Meditation in the O'Brian Hall First Floor Student Lounge from 2:30-3:15 PM.
Come relax, experience a 15-20min guided meditation, and learn more about meditating! UB Health Promotions will be providing stress relief give-a-ways!
Sponsored by AccessLex, learn how to maintain financial wellness while being a law student. This week we have two informative webinars to help you achieve your goals, tabling, and private one-on-one appointments:
Session 1: Student Loan Repayment Strategies for Legal Careers
Wednesday, March 1
12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. ; Room 106
Student loan repayment can feel overwhelming, but you can chart a path to a debt-free future based on your specific income and career trajectory. During this event, an Accredited Financial Counselor® from AccessLex Institute® will cover common repayment strategies for different legal careers and essential details regarding repayment plan options, consolidation, and loan forgiveness programs. Attendees will receive an entry into the annual MAX by AccessLex® scholarship drawings.
Lunch will be provided.
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Session 2: Credit and Debt Management for Bar Admission
Thursday, March 2
8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. ; Room 104
Bar examiners may review how you’ve handled financial obligations when evaluating your Character and Fitness to practice law. During this event, an Accredited Financial Counselor® from AccessLex Institute® will walk you through a credit and debt checklist that includes when and how to review credit scores and reports, how to dispute errors and build your credit profile over time, and how to check Character and Fitness requirements for your jurisdiction. Attendees will receive an entry into the annual MAX by AccessLex® scholarship drawings.
Breakfast will be provided.
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Tabling
Wednesday, March 1
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ; O'Brian Hall First Floor Lobby
AccessLex will be tabling and discussing financial planning information for law school students. They will also have give-a-ways!
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Private One-on-One Sessions
Thursday, March 2
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ; 505 O'Brian Hall
Meet with Mary Bechler, AFC from AccessLex to discuss any financial planning questions or goals that you have for borrowing, spending, earning, protecting, and savings. These sessions will be a half hour in length, and you are able to sign up through the provided calendly link below or the flyer QR code.
Week 5 - Random Acts of Kindness
Witnessing acts of kindness produces oxytocin, often referred to as the 'love hormone' which has some health benefits, such as lowering one's blood pressure. Kindness can also increase one's self-esteem, which is extra helpful when we're in anxious or shy in a social situation.
That is to say, these small gestures can really brighten a person’s day and your own in return.
Don’t forget about yourself! Taking care of yourself will give you the energy you need to help others.
- Have a glass of water or a cup of tea or cocoa and drink it without doing anything else.
- Take a short walk.
- Do a guided meditation online.
- Give yourself a moment to just be still.
Week 6 - Creating Community
Wednesday, March 15
Drop in any time between 12:00–4:00 p.m., 533 O'Brian (Fishbowl room, inside the Law Library)
- Join the Program Director for Externships, Public Interest Offerings, and Access to Justice Initiatives, Lisa Patterson, and members of our law community in creating art expressions of our own self-care and wishes
of wellness to others.
This event is free. Supplies will be provided. All we need is you!
Poetry Slam & Book Exchange
Words carry meaning and can raise us up when we are feeling our lowest. Literature can transport us into deeper thought and inflection.
Refresh your book collection by participating in the Law Library's Little Libraries Book Exchange.
Read more about how and why poetry is good for our overall health.
Event rescheduled
The Poetry Slam & Book Exchange has been rescheduled to April 5th. Updated details below.
Join Us!
On Wednesday, Apr. 5, the Law Library and Office of Student Affairs will be hosting a Poetry Slam & Book Exchange.
Come relax at our poetry slam, exchange books, listen to poetry, or read your favorite poem / original work!
Room 533 (Inside of the Library) from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Food will be provided.
By participating in a reading, you will be entered into a gift card raffle!
Exercise
Event: Wednesday, April 5 - Stretch
Join Assistant Dean Hilburger for a Campus Walk - Rain or Shine!
Meet in O'Brian Hall lobby at 12:15 p.m., stretch and take a walk .
Join your classmates for a walk around campus. Inclement weather? No problem as we will show you the tunnels around campus.
We will be forming a team for the Eighth Annual Step Challenge. You can sign up on the 5th or join by emailing law-studentlife@buffalo.edu. We will meet in the O'Brian lobby weekly on Wednesdays at 12:15PM for Walkin' Wednesdays around campus from 12:15-1:00PM.
Week 9 - Self Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to tune in to your feelings, thoughts, and actions. Being self-aware also means being able to recognize how other people see you. People who are self-aware recognize their strengths and their challenges.
To learn more about self-awareness and its benefits, download our guide.
Career Well-Being
Event: Wednesday, April 19 - Career Well-Being Dinner & Discussion
Join us for our 12 Weeks of Wellness Week #10: Career Well-Being Panel discussion with the Bar Foundation of Erie County.
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Dinner and Dessert at 6:30 p.m.
509 O'Brian Hall, Cellino & Barnes Conference Center
Roundtable Discussions & Small Breakout Groups
Limited Seating RSVP by April 14 to law-studentlife@buffalo.edu
Come to Network and Discuss:
- Developing Wellbeing in Legal Practice
- Navigating your Journey as a Lawyer
- Fostering Satisfaction in your Profession
- Building Community and Finding Support
Our Featured Guests:
- Dean Aviva Abramovsky, School of Law
- Jill Bond ’85, Rich Products Corporation
- Cavette A. Chambers ’04 Corporation Counsel, City of Buffalo
- Hon. Mary Giallanza Carney ’00, Erie County Family Court Judge
- Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95, Justice, New York State Supreme Court
- Jesslyn Holbrook ’11, Center for Elder Law & Justice
- Jeffrey Priore, Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo
- Kevin W. Spitler, Law Offices of Kevin Spitler
Join us!
On Thursday, Apr. 20, the School of Law will be hosting the First Annual Trivia Night.
2nd Floor Reading Room of the Law Library from 5:00 - 8:00 PM.
Pizza & wings will be provided.
Event postponed
Trivia Night has been postponed to Fall 2023.
Feeling and Expressing Gratitude
Pausing to reflect and truly feel appreciative for the simple things in your daily life is one of the most valuable practices you can do.
* Download a list of simple practices you can do each day to increase your sense of gratitude. (PDF)
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Wellness Week Events!
Be sure to stop by 312 O’Brian Hall and grab a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea all week long while supplies last.
- Did you know that taking a big whiff of your morning coffee or tea before you drink it can be enough to help reduce your stress levels?
Please add words of affirmation and encouragement to the Warm and Fuzzy Board and read/enjoy your classmates' positive thoughts!
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- Monday, May 1
- Join National Fuel for pizza between classes! Find balance in your day with a pizza break and chat with National Fuel attorneys! 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Room 106 O'Brian
- Law School Ther-a-pups in the Lobby 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; O’Brian Hall Lobby
- Tuesday, May 2
- Law School Ther-a-pups in the Lobby 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; O’Brian Hall Lobby
- Stress Relief Give-a-ways - Shower steamers, bath bombs, and stress relief ball give-a-ways!
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; O'Brian Hall Lobby
- Law School Ther-a-pups in the Lobby 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; O’Brian Hall Lobby
- Wednesday, May 3
- Thom Neill will be promoting counseling services and mental health 10:30 AM – 12 PM; O'Brian Lobby
- Walkin Wednesdays with Assistant Dean Hilburger
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Meet in O'Brian Lobby - Join Professor Chiesa’s class for a guided meditation. Healthy snacks will be provided and live streaming 5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.; Room 25 O'Brian
- Thursday, May 4
- Yoga with Ashley Abbott, Student Life Coordinator
11 a.m. - 12:00 p.m; Room 104 O'Brian
*Stress Relief Give-a-ways after class!
- Yoga with Ashley Abbott, Student Life Coordinator
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Wellness Week wraps up with a daily raffle brought to you by your Student Bar Association! Each day, three lucky students - one winner per class - will be announced in via the SBA Instagram (@buffalolawsba). In addition, a recap of the winners will be posted on SIP. ~Brought to you by your mandatory student activity fee~
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Please join Thom Neill, LCSW from Counseling Services as he helps you navigate through these relatable topics during your spring semester.
All events will take place in 706 O’Brian Hall from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Please feel free to bring your lunch to these workshops.